Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Edward Llwyd Building, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK.
Parasitology. 2012 Sep;139(10):1231-45. doi: 10.1017/S0031182012000704. Epub 2012 May 2.
During platyhelminth infection, a cocktail of proteins is released by the parasite to aid invasion, initiate feeding, facilitate adaptation and mediate modulation of the host immune response. Included amongst these proteins is the Venom Allergen-Like (VAL) family, part of the larger sperm coating protein/Tpx-1/Ag5/PR-1/Sc7 (SCP/TAPS) superfamily. To explore the significance of this protein family during Platyhelminthes development and host interactions, we systematically summarize all published proteomic, genomic and immunological investigations of the VAL protein family to date. By conducting new genomic and transcriptomic interrogations to identify over 200 VAL proteins (228) from species in all 4 traditional taxonomic classes (Trematoda, Cestoda, Monogenea and Turbellaria), we further expand our knowledge related to platyhelminth VAL diversity across the phylum. Subsequent phylogenetic and tertiary structural analyses reveal several class-specific VAL features, which likely indicate a range of roles mediated by this protein family. Our comprehensive analysis of platyhelminth VALs represents a unifying synopsis for understanding diversity within this protein family and a firm context in which to initiate future functional characterization of these enigmatic members.
在扁形动物感染过程中，寄生虫会释放一组蛋白质，以帮助入侵、启动摄食、促进适应和介导宿主免疫反应的调节。这些蛋白质包括毒液过敏原样 (VAL) 家族，它是更大的精子涂层蛋白/Tpx-1/Ag5/PR-1/Sc7 (SCP/TAPS) 超家族的一部分。为了探索这个蛋白质家族在扁形动物发育和宿主相互作用中的意义，我们系统地总结了迄今为止所有关于 VAL 蛋白家族的蛋白质组学、基因组学和免疫学研究。通过进行新的基因组和转录组研究，我们从所有 4 个传统分类类群（吸虫、绦虫、单殖吸虫和涡虫）的物种中鉴定出超过 200 种 VAL 蛋白（228 种），进一步扩展了我们对扁形动物 VAL 多样性的了解。随后的系统发育和三级结构分析揭示了几个类特异性的 VAL 特征，这可能表明该蛋白质家族介导了一系列作用。我们对扁形动物 VAL 的全面分析代表了对这个蛋白质家族多样性的统一概述，并为这些神秘成员的未来功能特征提供了坚实的背景。
