Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK;
Boontarikaan Wititkornkul
Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; Faculty of Veterinary Science, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80240, Thailand
David J. Cutress
Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK;
Nathan D. Allen
Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK;
Peter M. Brophy
Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK;
Ruth E. Wonfor
Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK;
The most common equine tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, has often been neglected amongst molecular investigations and has been faced with limited treatment options. However, the recent release of a transcriptome dataset has now provided opportunities for in-depth analysis of A. perfoliata protein expression. Here, global, and sub-proteomic approaches were utilized to provide a comprehensive characterization of the A. perfoliata soluble glutathione transferases (GST) (ApGST). Utilizing both bioinformatics and gel-based proteomics, GeLC and 2D-SDS PAGE, the A. perfoliata ‘GST-ome’ was observed to be dominated with Mu class GST representatives. In addition, both Sigma and Omega class GSTs were identified, albeit to a lesser extent and absent from affinity chromatography approaches. Moreover, 51 ApGSTs were localized across somatic (47 GSTs), extracellular vesicles (EVs) (Whole: 1 GST, Surface: 2 GSTs) and EV depleted excretory secretory product (ESP) (9 GSTs) proteomes. In related helminths, GSTs have shown promise as novel anthelmintic or vaccine targets for improved helminth control. Thus, provides potential targets for understanding A. perfoliata novel infection mechanisms, host–parasite relationships and anthelmintic treatments.
