日本血吸虫原肌球蛋白编码基因克隆和表达

目的　克隆和表达日本血吸虫大陆株原肌球蛋白 (tropomyosin ,TM)编码基因。方法　应用RT PCR方法体外扩增日本血吸虫原肌球蛋白编码基因 ,并采用T载体对该PCR产物直接进行克隆并用于核苷酸序列的测定。将目的基因亚克隆入原核表达载体pQE30 ,以IPTG诱导重组原肌球蛋白的表达。结果　PCR扩增产物约 82 3bp ,符合预计大小 ,并成功地克隆入T载体 ,对其中一克隆pGSjcTM12的插入片段的核苷酸序列分析表明 ,该序列和推测的氨基酸序列与曼氏血吸虫原肌球蛋白基因分别有 91 1%和 98 1%的同源性。该编码基因亚克隆入原核表达载体pQE30获得高效表达 ,分子量约 32kDa,并能被日本血吸虫天然原肌球蛋白免疫血清特异识别。结论　日本血吸虫原肌球蛋白编码基因克隆和原核表达成功。     

The 14-3-3 protein as a vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis

We have previously reported on the cloning of the 14-3-3 protein of Schistosoma mansoni. Here, we evaluate the potential use of this protein as a vaccine candidate against infection by S. mansoni. Sm14-3-3 was expressed and purified either as a free protein or as a fusion protein to SjGST or MBP. Sera from mice infected with S. mansoni recognized both SjGST and 14-3-3, indicating that antibodies against these two proteins are induced in the course of the natural infection. Furthermore, mice immunized with either 14-3-3, GST or 14-3-3-GST, reacted with cercaria lysate. A cellular immune response was also detected, particularly in mice immunized with 14-3-3-GST. With respect to the effect on biological functions, antibodies to 14-3-3 and 14-3-3-GST caused 23-32% complement-mediated cytotoxcity of S. mansoni schistosomula compared to only 10-11% induced by either normal mouse serum, or GST alone. In challenge infection with S. mansoni, immunization with 14-3-3, either as a fusion protein or as a free protein, led to protection ranging from 25-46%, as determined by reduction of adult worm burden, while SjGST alone elicited only 0-8% protection and MBP alone did not elicit any protection.     

日本血吸虫硫氧还蛋白编码基因的克隆和表达

目的克隆和表达日本血吸虫大陆株硫氧还蛋白(SjcTrx)的编码基因。方法根据日本血吸虫菲律宾株硫氧还蛋白基因序列设计一对引物,上游引物引入BamHI酶切位点和起始密码子ATG,下游引物引入SalI酶切位点和终止密码子TAA。以日本血吸虫大陆株成虫总RNA为模板,经反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增SjcTrx基因。经双酶切并纯化的PCR产物与同样双酶切并纯化的pET28a质粒DNA片段用T4 DNA连接酶连接,构建重组质粒pET28a-SjcTrx,转化BL21感受态菌并大量扩增。重组质粒DNA经限制性内切酶双酶切、PCR、琼脂糖凝胶电泳和核苷酸序列测定进行鉴定。pET28a-SjcTrx/BL21用IPTG诱导表达。结果SjcTrx编码基因RT-PCR产物约334 bp,构建的重组pET28a-SjcTrx表达质粒DNA经限制性内切酶双酶切和PCR扩增产物于琼脂糖凝胶电泳均观察到相同大小基因片段。根据核苷酸序列测序结果推导的氨基酸序列与日本血吸虫菲律宾株和曼氏血吸虫Trx分别有97%和43%的同源性。表达的重组蛋白经SDS-PAGE分析,约14kDa。Western blotting显示该重组蛋白可被日本血吸虫感染兔血清和重组抗原免疫小鼠血清所识别。结论SjcTrx基因的表达获得成功,并获得纯化蛋白,为开展动物保护性免疫试验创造了条件。     

Immunochemical characterization and diagnostic potential of a 63-kilodalton Schistosoma antigen.

Schistosoma circulating antigens were used for the detection of active infection. Anti-S. mansoni IgG2a monoclonal antibody (MAb) designated C5C4 was generated. The target epitope of this MAb was detected in adult worms, eggs, and cercariae antigenic extracts of S. mansoni and S. haematobium, had a molecular size of 63 kD, and was not detected in Fasciola hepatica and Ascaris. In addition, a 50-kD degradation product was identified only in the urine of infected individuals. Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography of the purified antigen demonstrated only one peak. The 63-kD antigen was characterized as a protein containing 40.4% hydrophobic, 7.5% acidic, and 8.8% basic amino acids. The C5C4 MAb was used in a Fast Dot-ELISA for rapid and simple diagnosis of human schistosomiasis. The 63-kD circulating antigen was detected in 92% of urine samples from 330 S. mansoni-infected individuals, with 16% false-positive results among 130 noninfected individuals.     

日本血吸虫HGPRT编码基因的克隆与表达

目的 克隆和表达日本血吸虫大陆株次黄嘌呤鸟嘌呤磷酸核糖转移酶(HGPRT)编码基因。方法依据GenBank日本血吸虫HGPRT开放阅读框(ORF)设计一对引物，上游和下游引物分别引入BamH I和Sal I酶切位点。以日本血吸虫大陆株（安徽株，简称Sjc-A）成虫总RNA为模板，反转录PCR (RT-PCR)扩增日本血吸虫大陆株HGPRT(SjcHGPRT)全长编码基因。经双酶切纯化的PCR产物与同样双酶切纯化的pET28a质粒DNA片段用T4 DNA连接酶连接，构建重组质粒pET28a-SjcHGPRT，转化感受态E．coli BL21，并大量扩增。重组质粒DNA经限制性内切酶双酶切、PCR、琼脂糖凝胶电泳和核苷酸序列测定进行鉴定。pET28a-SjcHGPRT/E．coli BL21I程菌用IPTG诱导表达，重组蛋白用SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析。结果 SjcHGPRT编码基因RT-PCR产物约700 bp，构建的pET28a-SjcHGPRT重组质粒DNA经限制性内切酶双酶切和PCR扩增产物于琼脂糖凝胶电泳均观察到相同大小的基因片段，根据核苷酸序列测序结果推导的氨基酸序列与报道的日本血吸虫大陆株（湖南株，简称Sjc-H）及曼氏血吸虫HGPRT分别有99%和83%的同源性。获得的重组蛋白(reSjcHGPRT)经SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析，分子量约30 kDa，并能被抗His-G-HRP抗体、日本血吸虫感染小鼠血清和日本血吸虫病人血清识别。结论 日本血吸虫大陆株(安徽株)HGPRT表达获得成功，并获得了纯化重组蛋白，为开展该分子功能和免疫原性研究奠定了基础。     

日本血吸虫腺苷脱氨酶基因的克隆和融合表达

目的 克隆和表达日本血吸虫（Sj）腺苷脱氨酶（ADA）编码基因，分析该基因的系统发育及预测其编码蛋白的空间结构。 方法 根据表达序列标签（EST）测序的结果设计引物，PCR法从含有SjADA基因的cDNA克隆中扩增得到该编码基因片段，亚克隆入原核表达载体pET32中表达，表达的融合蛋白用螯合琼脂糖凝胶FF亲和层析纯化。采用 MrBayes算法构建系统发育进化树，用自动蛋白注释工具(DS GeneAtlas)软件模拟SjADA的蛋白空间结构。结果 获得SjADA基因全长为1 059 bp的编码序列，并克隆、表达和纯化了重组蛋白（SjADA）。生物信息学分析显示，该基因与曼氏血吸虫的同源基因之间的序列一致性仅25%，属于不同的亚家族。其空间结构与PDB模板1A4M的一致性为41%，具有相似的二级结构和相应的活性位点残基。 结论 获得了SjADA重组蛋白。提示日本血吸虫嘌呤补救合成代谢途径与曼氏血吸虫有差异。     

Infection induces antibodies against the cercarial secretions, but not against the cercarial elastases of Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum and Trichobilharzia ocellata

Cercarial secretions from different species of the parasite Schistosoma and from Trichobilharzia ocellata contain a proteolytic activity, cercarial elastase, which was demonstrated by a 30 kDa band in gelatin gels. Sera of patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium or Schistosoma japonicum contain immunoglobulin G which react in ELISA with cercarial secretions from all schistosomes and cross-react among the different parasite species. In Western blots, however, infection sera from patients, as well as heavily infected mice or rabbits, did not react with a 30-kDa protein. Moreover, when sections from infected snails (Biomphalaria, Bulinus and Lymnaea) were analysed by immunofluorescence using the same infection sera, only the tegument of the developing cercariae was recognized, but not the acetabular glands. In contrast, when antisera against purified cercarial elastase from either S. mansoni or S. haematobium were tested with sections of infected Biomphalaria or Bulinus, fluorescence was strong in the preacetabular glands of the cercariae of either species, but undetectable with the tegument. Cross-reactivity of both antisera extended to T. ocellata-infected Lymnaea, but not to S. japonicum-infected Oncomelania. In conclusion, although immunization with purified cercarial elastase results in antibody production, the enzyme does not induce an apparent antibody response following natural infection.     

Schistosoma japonicum myosin: cloning, expression and vaccination studies with the homologue of the S. mansoni myosin fragment IrV-5

The Schistosoma japonicum homologue of the 62 kDa fragment of S. mansoni myosin (SmIrV-5), which has proved highly protective against S. mansoni infection in mice and rats, has been cloned and expressed as the full length 62 kDa equivalent, Sj62, and a truncated 44 kDa version, Sj44. DNA sequencing showed the Sj62 sequence to be 88.4% identical at the nucleic acid level and 96% identical in deduced amino acid sequence to that of SmIrV-5. The recombinant proteins (rSj44 and rSj62) were strongly recognized in Western blotting by sera from mice multiply vaccinated with UV-irradiated S. japonicum cercariae and weakly recognized by S. japonicum chronic infection mouse sera. Unlike SmIrV-5, mouse antisera against the recombinant S. japonicum proteins did not give positive recognition in immunofluorescence assay with the surface of newly transformed schistosomula of the homologous species, S. japonicum, nor did they react with S. mansoni schistosomula. However, the anti-rSj62 sera clearly localized the native antigen to the subtegumental muscle layers in male adult worm sections by immunoelectron microscopy. Vaccination of several groups of mice and/or rats with rSj44 and rSj62 incorporated into different adjuvants induced high titres of specific IgG but in only one experimental group was there a significant reduction in worm burden (27%, P < 0.05). The possible reasons for the disparity between the vaccination results presented here and those demonstrated in experiments using rSm62 (IrV-5) are discussed .     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase from the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni.

cDNA clones encoding the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase [(S)-mevalonate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1.1.34] from the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni have been isolated and characterized. The composite 3459 base pairs of cDNA sequence contains a 2844-base-pair open reading frame corresponding to a protein of 948 amino acids. The predicted S. mansoni HMG-CoA reductase protein contains a hydrophobic amino terminus consisting of seven potential transmembrane domains that are structurally conservative but are not identical in amino acid sequence with HMG-CoA reductases from other species. The hydrophilic carboxyl terminus of the S. mansoni HMG-CoA reductase protein, however, shares 48-52% sequence identity with the carboxyl termini of other HMG-CoA reductases in a region that contains the catalytic domain. When expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli, the carboxyl-terminal domain of the schistosome protein exhibits HMG-CoA reductase enzyme activity.     

Human IgG1 and IgG3 recognition of Schistosoma mansoni 14kDa fatty acid-binding recombinant protein

The Schistosoma mansoni gene coding for a 14-kDa fatty acid-binding protein was amplified by PCR and subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pMAL-c2. Escherichia coli DH5alpha was transformed with the pMAL-Sm14 construct, and gene expression was induced hr isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The resulting recombinant (r) fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography and confirmed by immunoblot analysis using antimaltose-binding protein or anti-Sm14 antibodies. Additionally, an antibody isotype profile was determined in sera of schistosomiasis patients to rSm14 or soluble adult worm antigen preparation. IgG1 and IgG3 subclass antibodies to rSm14 were predominant in sera of all patients studied whereas low levels of IgM, IgA or IgE were measured. Expression of a S. mansoni gene encoding a vaccine candidate is an important step to better study human immune responses to defined antigens.     

The humoral response to heat shock protein 70 in human and murine Schistosomiasis mansoni

We have expressed two cDNA sequences encoding 121 and 230 amino acids of the C-terminus of the Schistosoma mansoni Hsp 70 in Escherichia coli. The products were synthesized as polypeptides fused to the RNA polymerase of bacteriophage MS2, and their reactivities were tested in ELISAs, using sera from human and murine infections. Anti-Hsp70 antibodies were detected in a significant number of individuals suffering from chronic schistosomiasis mansoni, but not in patients with known recent infections. This, together with the finding that antibodies directed at S. mansoni-specific Hsp70 determinants during the course of infection of experimental mice were not detectable until 5-6 weeks post-infection, suggests that the protein may be a useful marker for distinguishing late and early infections. The diagnostic specificity of Hsp70 was evaluated with sera from humans infected with different schistosome species and other parasitic diseases. While some subjects infected with S. haematobium produced antibodies which recognized the S. mansoni Hsp70, no such antibodies were generated in S. japonicum infected individuals. However, cross-reactive antibodies were elicited in donors with other parasitic diseases such as filariasis and malaria. The absence of antibodies in early infection and the observed cross-reactivities led us to conclude that Hsp70 will be of limited value in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.     

日本血吸虫和曼氏血吸虫成虫31/32kD蛋白的纯化及在诊断中的应用

本研究以前染蛋白为指示,将制备型SDS—PAGE和电渗析技术相结合,分离、纯化日本血吸虫和曼氏血吸虫成虫31/32kD蛋白,用于ELISA中诊断血吸虫病。结果:纯化日本血吸虫成虫31/32kD蛋白(Psj31/32)与急、慢性日本血吸虫病和曼氏血吸虫病人血清反应的阳性率分别为100％、100％和98.4％;纯化曼氏血吸虫成虫31/32kD蛋白(Psm31/32)与上述病人血清反应的阳性率均为100％。与NHS和其它寄生虫病人血清反应的特异性较高。Psj31/32和Psm31/32检测同种血清,它们的OD值具有高度的正相关关系,但OD值与曼氏血吸虫病人粪便中虫卵数量(EPG)无相关关系。结果提示:两种纯化的31/32kD蛋白在血吸虫病诊断中具有较高的敏感性和特异性,并具有共同抗原决定簇存在,不仅可用于诊断急、慢性日本血吸虫病,而且Psj31/32也可作为诊断曼氏血吸虫病的候选抗原,用于我国输入性曼氏血吸虫病的诊断。     

曼氏裂头蚴cDNA文库的构建及诊断候选抗原筛选

目的　构建曼氏裂头蚴cDNA文库,通过免疫筛选获得曼氏裂头蚴病诊断候选抗原基因。方法　提取曼氏裂头蚴虫体总RNA,反转录合成cDNA,连接噬菌体载体,经体外包装后构建曼氏裂头蚴SMART cDNA文库。用曼氏裂头蚴病患者血清免疫筛选cDNA文库,获得阳性克隆,测定阳性克隆插入片段的DNA序列,进行同源性分析并预测编码蛋白的结构和功能。结果　成功构建了曼氏裂头蚴cDNA文库,文库滴度为6.25 × 106 pfu/mL,重组率为100%,文库插入片段的平均长度大于1 100 bp。经免疫筛选获得12个阳性克隆,分为Sm⁃Ⅰ、Sm⁃Ⅱ、Sm⁃Ⅲ和Sm⁃Ⅳ4类,其代表克隆为Sm60⁃1、Sm58⁃1、Sm20⁃1、Sm22⁃3,插入片段长度分别为1 134、1 063、883、969 bp,编码蛋白分别与欧猥迭宫绦虫抗原多肽、胞质抗原、核糖体蛋白S4样蛋白和未命名蛋白具有较高同源性。结论　成功构建了曼氏裂头蚴SMART cDNA文库,获得了4类阳性克隆,为曼氏裂头蚴病诊断抗原的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

Isolation and characterization of Schistosoma haematobium egg antigens

Schistosoma haematobium soluble egg antigen (ShSEA) was prepared from eggs isolated from the livers of hamsters or mice infected for at least 3 months. Immunoaffinity purified S. haematobium egg antigens (ShSh) were isolated by first passing ShSEA through a column containing anti-S. mansoni hamster IgG coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B, and recycling the unbound fraction until no more bound material could be eluted with an acid wash. The unbound fraction was then filtered through a second antibody affinity column containing anti-S. haematobium hamster IgG, and in the acid eluate the ShSh antigens were obtained. This antigenic preparation was shown by PAGE to contain at least 6 distinct bands ranging in molecular weight (Mr) from 116 to less than 31 Kd. A 40 Kd polypeptide was identified by both silver staining and EITB as specific for S. haematobium eggs. In addition, a 55 Kd worm-egg shared antigen was identified as a prominent band in EITB expressed during a primary S. haematobium hamster infection. The sera from hamsters harboring patent S. haematobium or S. mansoni infections were reacted by ELISA with ShSh antigens. The anti-Sh sera showed significantly higher absorbance values than the anti-Sm sera, demonstrating that only a minor population of S. mansoni cross-reactive egg antigens is still present in the ShSh antigens. Sera collected weekly for 13 weeks from hamsters with a primary infection of S. haematobium were then tested by ELISA against ShSh, ShSEA and SmSEA antigens. Antibody levels against both ShSEA and SmSEA were shown to increase early in infection (2 weeks). Moreover, antibody levels to ShSh did not increase until week 5 post-infection. These findings suggest that the purification procedure utilized results in the elimination of most of the S. mansoni worm antigens cross-reactive with S. haematobium eggs. The ShSh antigens had shown a high degree of sensitivity and stage-species specificity also suggesting their potential as antigens for the immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis haematobia.     

The humoral response to heat shock protein 70 in human and murine Schistosomiasis mansoni

Summary We have expressed two cDNA sequences encoding 121 and 230 amino acids of the C-terminus of the Schistosoma mansoni Hsp70 in Escherichia coli. The products were synthesized as polypeptides fused to the RNA polymerase of bacteriophage MS2, and their reactivities were tested in ELISAs, using sera from human and murine infections. Anti-Hsp70 antibodies were detected in a significant number of individuals suffering from chronic schistosomiasis mansoni, but not in patients with known recent infections. This, together with the finding that antibodies directed at S. manoni -specific Hsp70 determinants during the course of infection of experimental mice were not detectable until 5–6 weeks postinfection, suggests that the protein may be a useful marker for distinguishing late and early infections. The diagnostic specificity of Hsp70 was evaluated with sera from humans infected with different schistosome species and other parasitic diseases. While some subjects infected with 5. haematobium produced antibodies which recognized the S. mansoni Hsp70, no such antibodies were generated in 5. japonicum infected individuals. However, cross-reactive antibodies were elicited in donors with other parasitic diseases such as filariasis and malaria. The absence of antibodies in early infection and the observed cross-reactivities led us to conclude that Hsp70 will be of limited value in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.     

Identification of a genus-specific Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen reactive with the serum of infected patients

The ability of serum samples obtained from humans with schistosomiasis mansoni to recognize Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens (SmSEA) was assessed by the enzyme-linked immunotransfer blot (EITB) method. The sera from 15 infected patients before and 2 years after treatment with oxamniquine (n = 30) recognized bands ranging in molecular weight from 9 to 200 Kd. A 31 Kd component of SmSEA was recognized by all infection sera, but not by normal human serum. The sera from 2 humans infected with S. haematobium and 2 with S. japonicum also recognized the 31 Kd band present in SmSEA, whereas those from 2 humans infected with Fasciola hepatica did not. The 31 Kd antigen was isolated by electrophoresing SmSEA through a 15% SDS-acrylamide gel, followed by excision and electroelution of the 31 Kd band. The purified 31 Kd was used in conjunction with ELISA at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml to confirm the apparent genus specificity of this protein. Thus, the sera of patients infected with S. mansoni, S. haematobium, or S. japonicum were clearly reactive in ELISA, whereas normal human serum or sera from patients with F. hepatica were negative. In conclusion, the 31 Kd protein appears to be a good candidate for developing a screening assay for the immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis.     

Egg-hatching inhibition in mice immunized with recombinant Schistosoma bovis 28 kDa glutathione S-transferase

The capacity of a recombinant glutathione S-transferase from Schistosoma bovis (rSb 28GST) to protect BALB/c mice against homologous and heterologous infections with, respectively, S. bovis or Schistosoma mansoni has been studied. Two injections of the rSb 28GST and an intravenous boost resulted in a marked specific IgG response on the day of experimental challenge with S. bovis or S. mansoni cercariae. Immunization of BALB/c mice led to a reduction in egg maturation and egg viability after infection with S. bovis or S. mansoni. Adult worm recoveries after an S. bovis challenge infection and tissue egg densities (intestine and liver) in S. mansoni challenge infection were also reduced in the immunized groups, but these differences were not statistically significant. No association between in vitro inhibition of GST enzymatic activity induced by immunized mouse sera and worm burden reduction was recorded. The analysis of the immune response, on the day of perfusion, showed the production of immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, IgG2a and IgG2b specific antibodies and the production of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 by spleen cells after rSb 28GST stimulation. These data suggest that rSb 28GST immunization induces a moderate effect upon egg maturation and egg hatching, suggesting the involvement of similar mechanisms of action and common, but not exclusive, targets during S. bovis and S. mansoni infections. As a consequence, immunization with rSb 28GST may prove useful in affecting the pathology and transmission of African schistosomes.     

Production of IgE antibodies against the 22 kDa tegumental membrane-associated antigen of schistosomes is directed by the antigen itself

It has previously been reported that the predominant target of immunoglobulin E (IgE) recognition in sera from humans infected with Schistosoma japonicum in The Philippines or with S. mansoni in Kenya, is a 22 kDa tegumental membrane-associated schistosome antigen. In the present study, we demonstrate that the 22 kDa antigen can direct the production of antigen-specific IgE antibodies independently of schistosome infection and in the absence of any other parasite components or adjuvant. Three strains of mice were immunized using the purified, recombinant 22 kDa antigen of S. japonicum without the use of any adjuvant. Sera from all three strains of immunized mice, but not control animals, generated IgE antibodies specific for the native 22 kDa schistosome antigen in Western blots. Thus, the 22 kDa antigen itself must contain signals (presumably encoded by the primary amino acid sequence or by the secondary or tertiary structures of the molecule, or by a combination of these) which are sufficient to direct the isotype switch required for production of antigen-specific IgE .     

Paramyosin: a candidate vaccine antigen against Schistosoma japonicum

Paramyosin, a 97 kDa myofibrillar protein, is a candidate vaccine antigen for prevention of infection with the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni . To determine if paramyosin would also induce protection against Schistosoma japonicum , paramyosin was biochemically purified from S. japonicum adult worms. SDS-PAGE demonstrated a single protein with a molecular weight of 97 kDa. In four separate experiments, vaccination of mice with S. japonicum paramyosin without adjuvant induced significant resistance (62%–86%, P < 0.001) against cercarial challenge as compared to controls. These data suggest that S. japonicum paramyosin may represent a candidate vaccine for immunization against schistosomiasis japonica.     

cDNA cloning and functional expression of the Schistosoma mansoni protective antigen triose-phosphate isomerase.

M.1 monoclonal antibody has previously been shown to passively transfer partial resistance to schistosome infection within mice and to recognize a 28-kDa antigen that has peptide sequence homology with triose-phosphate isomerase (TPI; D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate ketol-isomerase, EC 5.3.1.1). We have now isolated the complete coding DNA for Schistosoma mansoni TPI and confirmed that this cDNA encodes the 28-kDa antigen recognized by M.1. The predicted translation product has strong homology with other TPIs, particularly from higher eukaryotes, and the sequence homology is greatest in regions known to form the active site. The complete coding DNA has been expressed within an Escherichia coli host to produce high levels of soluble, recombinant S. mansoni TPI protein. The product is recognized and purified by the M.1 antibody and is a functional TPI with an intrinsic specific activity comparable to that of rabbit and yeast TPI.