Cloning of a Schistosoma japonicum gene encoding an antigen with homology to calreticulin.

A recombinant lambda gt11 clone, IVGS3, encoding part of a 55-kDa antigen was isolated from an adult Schistosoma japonicum cDNA library. The protein expressed by this clone was recognised strongly by serum from rats that had been vaccinated with irradiated cercariae (VrS) rendering them highly immune to a challenge infection. Antibodies in VrS which were specific for IVGS3 did not recognise adult worm antigens of S. mansoni, suggesting that the recombinant antigen contains species-specific epitopes, although IVGS3 was weakly recognised by rat serum raised against irradiated S. mansoni cercariae, indicating the presence of a related antigen in this species. A further clone, AM1(p), was obtained which, together with IVGS3 encompasses the entire coding region of the gene which has been called Sj55. Sequence analysis revealed similarities with murine calreticulin, a protein resident in the endoplasmic reticulum. As with murine calreticulin, Sj55 was shown to be a calcium-binding protein. Antigens with homologies to calreticulin have also been described in two other helminths, S. mansoni and Onchocerca volvulus.