Eukaryotic Protein Kinases of the Helminth Parasite Schistosoma mansoni
Author Information
Author(s): Andrade Luiza F, Nahum Laila A, Avelar Lívia GA, Silva Larissa L, Zerlotini Adhemar, Ruiz Jerônimo C, Oliveira Guilherme
Primary Institution: Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Hypothesis
The study aimed to analyze the S. mansoni predicted proteome to identify and classify all ePKs of this parasite.
Conclusion
The study identified 252 ePKs in S. mansoni, representing 1.9% of its predicted proteome, and improved functional annotation for 40% of these proteins.
Supporting Evidence
- 252 ePKs were identified through sequence similarity searches using HMMs.
- Most ePKs clustered with known ePKs in other eukaryotes according to phylogenetic analysis.
- Only 16 S. mansoni ePKs were experimentally studied.
- 12 proteins are predicted to be catalytically inactive.
- Approximately 2% of the parasite ePKs remain unclassified.
Takeaway
Researchers found 252 proteins in the Schistosoma mansoni parasite that help it respond to its environment, which could be targets for new medicines.
Methodology
The study used computational approaches including sequence similarity searches and phylogenetic analysis to identify and classify ePKs.
Limitations
Only 16 of the identified ePKs were experimentally studied, and approximately 2% remain unclassified.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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