Identification of a Neospora caninum microneme protein (NcMIC1) which interacts with sulfated host cell surface glycosaminoglycans.

ABSTRACT: The invasive stages of apicomplexan parasites enter their host cells through mechanisms which are largely conserved throughout the phylum. Host cell invasion is divided into two distinct events, namely, adhesion onto the host cell surface and the actual host cell entry process. The former is mediated largely through microneme proteins which are secreted at the onset of establishing contact with the host cell surface. Many of the microneme proteins identified so far contain adhesive domains. We here present the genomic and corresponding cDNA sequences coding for a 460-amino-acid (aa) microneme protein in Neospora caninum tachyzoites which, due to its homology to MIC1 in Toxoplasma gondii (TgMIC1), was named NcMIC1. The deduced NcMIC1 polypeptide sequence contains an N-terminal signal peptid

SUBMITTER: Keller N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC127992 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature