[Preliminary evaluation of promoter regions of four Schistosoma japonicum genes for expressing a luciferase reporter].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relevant promoter regions of four Schistosoma japonicum genes for expressing a luciferase reporter.

METHODS

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the promoter regions of four S. japonicum genes and then each PCR product was cloned into a pGlu-Basic vector according to the standard molecular procedures. These recombinant plasmids were either transfected into human HEK293 cells by using lipofectamine or introduced into cultured schistosomes by electroporation. Then, the luciferase activities were measured by using a dual luciferase reporter system in a luminometer.

RESULTS

Each promoter region of four S. japonicum genes was obtained and the corresponding recombinant vector containing the promoter region was successfully constructed. The transfection of the recombinant plasmids into the human HEK293 cells and cultured schistosomes resulted in a significant elevation of the luciferase reporter activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The promoter regions of four S. japonicum genes are obtained and the luciferase reporter genes driven by the four promoter regions are preliminarily evaluated. The study provides a foundation for the usage of these promoters for genetic manipulation in S. japonicum.