ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
invertebrate collagen
;
Northern blot
;
in situ hybridization
;
Diphyllobothrium dendriticum
;
Cestoda
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Collagens are a group of evolutionary related structural proteins that are found in extracellular matrices. The vertebrate collagens have been divided into fibril-forming and nonfibril-forming collagens based on the structure of the proteins as well as the organization of the corresponding genes. In invertebrates, both fibrillar and nonfibrillar collagen genes that resemble their vertebrate counterparts have been identified (see Vuorio & Crombrugghe, 1990). The present study is the first characterization of a collagen gene in flatworms. A cDNA library (Uni-Zap XR, Stratagene) of the flatworm Diphyllobothrium dendriticum was screened with a murine pro-α1 type II collagen cDNA probe (a gift from Prof. Eero Vuorio). Several positive clones have been isolated and one of the cDNA inserts, named DidC1, has been further characterized. DidC1 covers 2631 bp from the 3′-end of an approximately 4.5 kb transcript. The deduced amino acid sequence of DidC1 was determined, and it represents a protein that shows structural similarities to vertebrate fibril-forming collagens. The DidC1 polypeptide includes a C-propeptide that contains 7 conserved cysteine residues and a region of Gly-X-Y triplets with one Gly-X-Y-Z imperfection. Northern blot hybridizations indicate that DidC1 is expressed approximately 20 times more in the scolex and neck region of the adult flatworm that in the posterior part of the worm. In situ hybridization reveals that DidC1 is expressed in all developmental stages of the adult worm and that the expression is localized to the longitudinal, transverse and dorso-ventral muscles. Cells in association with the developing genital organs also express DidC1, but only until the organs are developed fully.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00036406
