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Molecular characterization of serine/threonine protein phosphatase of Eimeria tenella
Author(s) -
Yu Yu,
Zhao Qiping,
Zhu Shunhai,
Dong Hui,
Huang Bing,
Liang Shanshan,
Wang Qingjie,
Wang Haixia,
Yu Shuilan,
Han Hongyu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of eukaryotic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 1066-5234
DOI - 10.1111/jeu.12798
Subject(s) - eimeria , biology , coccidia , microbiology and biotechnology , threonine , western blot , blot , serine , coccidiosis , parasite hosting , immunofluorescence , virology , antibody , enzyme , biochemistry , gene , genetics , medicine , world wide web , computer science , veterinary medicine
Avian coccidiosis is a widespread and economically significant poultry disease caused by several Eimeria species, including Eimeria tenella . Previously, E . tenella serine/threonine protein phosphatase ( Et STP ) was found to be differentially expressed in drug‐sensitive ( DS ) and drug‐resistant strains using RNA ‐seq. In the present study, we found that transcription and translation levels of Et STP were higher in diclazuril‐resistant ( DZR ) strains and maduramicin‐resistant ( MRR ) strains than in DS strains using quantitative real‐time PCR ( qPCR ) and Western blotting. Enzyme activity results indicated that the catalytic activity of Et STP was higher in the two drug‐resistant strains than in DS strains. Western blot and qPCR analysis also showed that expression levels of Et STP were higher in unsporulated oocysts ( UO ) and second‐generation merozoites ( SM ). Indirect immunofluorescence localization showed that Et STP was located in most areas of the parasite with the exception of refractile bodies, and fluorescence intensity was enhanced during development. In vitro inhibition experiments showed that the ability of sporozoites ( SZ ) to invade cells was significantly decreased after treatment with anti‐ r E t STP antibody. These results indicated that Et STP acted mainly during the developmental and reproductive stages of the parasite and may be related to the resistance of coccidia to external drug pressure.