Proteomic analysis of Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula after artesunate treatment

Objective To investigate the difference in proteins from Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula before and after artesunate (Art) treatment,and analyze the molecular basis of anti-Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula effect of Art.Methods Six New Zealand rabbits were infected with 2 000 cercariae by using coating method and orally administered with once administration of Art at a dose of 8 mg/kg on the 7th day after infection.The parallel control group was only administered with 1％ sodium carboxymethylcellulose(n=3).On the 10th day,schistosomula were obtained from rabbits by perfusion and total protein of Schistosomula was extracted.The proteins from two groups were identified by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) techniques.Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins was made and their functions were confirmed by database searching.Results Compared with control group,Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula were more stubby after Art treatment,and there was obrious dysplasia and deformity.iTRAQ analysis showed that there were 75 proteins (including 3 uncharacterized proteins) differentially expressed after Art treatment,among which 23 were up-regulated proteins and 52 were down-regulated proteins.Conclusions The differentially expressed proteins are mainly involved in metabolic processes,regulation of biological process and cellular homeostasis.Moreover,those proteins also play an important role in stress response,cell organization and biogenesis. Key words: Schistosoma japonicum;  Schistosomula;  Artesunate;  Isotpe labeling