Research Note: Preliminary functional analysis of EGF-like domains of Eimeria tenella
microneme protein 7 identified in sporozoites and merozoites.
Poult Sci 2024;
103:103430. [PMID:
38219535 PMCID:
PMC10823131 DOI:
10.1016/j.psj.2024.103430]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Eimeria tenella, an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite, is the major causative agent of chicken coccidiosis. Some epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain-containing proteins of other members of apicomplexan parasites have been reported to contribute to parasite survival. To date, however, EGF-like domain-containing proteins of E. tenella are not well studied. In this study, a gene fragment that encodes 4 EGF-like domains of E. tenella microneme protein 7 (EGF-EtMIC7) was amplified and expressed using an Escherichia coli expression system. Following generation of polyclonal antibodies that recognize recombinant EGF-EtMIC7 (rEGF-EtMIC7), the expression of EtMIC7 in sporozoites and merozoites was examined. Moreover, its roles in cellular regulation were investigated. The native EtMIC7 in E. tenella sporozoites and merozoites was detected by using Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assays. rEGF-EtMIC7 could activate Akt, whereas blockade of EGF receptor (EGFR) failed to induce Akt phosphorylation. Compared with the control group, LMH cells treated with rEGF-EtMIC7 showed increased cell proliferation and expressed higher levels of B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2). These findings contribute to the better understanding of parasite-host interactions at the molecular level during E. tenella infection.
Collapse