Screening, identification and bioinformatic analysis of Taenia solium cysticercus.

Objective To screen and identify specific antigens of Taenia solium cysticercus, and predict the function of target proteins using bioinformatics method. Methods Patients infected with Taenia solium were dewormed by decoction arecae and pumpkin seeds to collect worms, and eggs were then prepared. Six three-way crossed hybrid pigs were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, and each experimental pig was infected with 80 000 T. solium eggs. Serum samples were collected at 40 days after infection. The total protein of T. solium cysticercus was separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and Western blotting was performed to find out distinct antigens. Proteins from the two groups were identified by ESI-Trap MS. Query in NCBI database was made to confirm function of the proteins. Results 207±9 spots were detected through Coomassie brilliant blue-stained gels with Mr 14 400-94 000 and pI 3.0-10.0. Western blotting showed 7 specific antigen spots with pool sera of infected pigs. Four of the 7 antigens with known functions were respectively ascribed to cytoskeletal actin-2(adult-specific), tropomyosin(cysticercus-specific), AF239799-1 annexin (cysticercus-specific) and actin-1(cysticercus-specific). Conclutions Three specific antigens of Taenia solium cysticercus have been identified.