Ac-AP-12, a novel factor Xa anticoagulant peptide from the esophageal glands of adult Ancylostoma caninum

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2011 May;177(1):42-8. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.01.008. Epub 2011 Jan 18.

Abstract

Immunoscreening an Ancylostoma caninum cDNA library with canine hookworm-infected dog serum resulted in the isolation of a 461 bp cDNA encoding Ac-AP-12, a new 9.1 kDa anticoagulant peptide (100 amino acids) with 43-69% amino acid homology to other nematode anticoagulant peptides (NAPs) from Ancylostoma hookworms. Messenger RNA transcription and expression of Ac-AP-12 was unique to the adult stage of A. caninum. The yeast expressed recombinant Ac-AP-12 demonstrated potent anticoagulant activity on human blood plasma in a concentration dependent manner, and was shown to specifically inhibit human factor Xa activity. Immunolocalization with specific rabbit antiserum showed that Ac-AP-12 was exclusively located in the esophageal glands of adult hookworm. Ac-AP-12 is hypothesized to facilitate both parasite blood feeding and digestion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Ancylostoma / chemistry
  • Ancylostoma / classification
  • Ancylostoma / genetics
  • Ancylostoma / metabolism*
  • Ancylostomiasis / blood
  • Ancylostomiasis / parasitology
  • Animals
  • Anticoagulants / chemistry
  • Anticoagulants / metabolism*
  • Anticoagulants / pharmacology
  • Blood Coagulation / drug effects
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Esophagus / chemistry
  • Esophagus / metabolism*
  • Factor Xa Inhibitors*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Factor Xa Inhibitors
  • Peptides

Associated data

  • GENBANK/HQ637266