Molecular characterization and expression of the MYND-ZF gene from Clonorchis sinensis.

The MYND-type zinc finger protein (MYND-ZF) is a large group of proteins containing the MYND domain which play an important role in protein-protein interactions. A cDNA clone encoding a novel MYND-ZF was isolated and identified from a Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) adult cDNA library. The open reading frame of this novel cDNA sequence contains 1,440 base pairs with a putative protein of 479 amino acids showing a high homology with the MYND-ZF identified from other species. Recombinant CsMYND-ZF was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). CsMYND-ZF transcripts were detected in the cDNA of adult worms and metacercariae but not in eggs of C. sinensis. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that CsMYND-ZF was deposited at the tegument of adult worms and metacercariae C. sinensis using anti-recombinant CsMYND-ZF serum. These findings may contribute to the development of a reliable diagnostic method.