A gene encoding the manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) of Spirometra erinacei was identified, and the biochemical properties of the recombinant enzyme were partially characterized. The S. erinacei Mn-SOD gene consisted of 669 bp, which encoded 222 amino acids. A sequence analysis of the gene showed that it had typical molecular structures, including characteristic metal-binding residues and motifs that were conserved in Mn-SODs. An analysis of the N-terminal presequence of S. erinacei Mn-SOD revealed that it had physiochemical characteristics commonly found in mitochondria-targeting sequences and predicted that the enzyme is located in the mitochondria. A biochemical analysis also revealed that the enzyme is a typical Mn-SOD. The enzyme was consistently expressed in both S. erinacei plerocercoid larvae and adult worms. Our results collectively suggested that S. erinacei Mn-SOD is a typical mitochondrial Mn-SOD and may play an important role in parasite physiology, detoxifying excess superoxide radicals generated in the mitochondria.
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1 December 2011
Identification and Characterization of A Mitochondrial Manganese Superoxide Dismutase of Spirometra erinacei
Ai-Hua Li,
Byoung-Kuk Na,
Kyoung-Ju Song,
Sung-Bin Lim,
Chom-Kyu Chong,
Yun-Kyu Park,
Tong-Soo Kim
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Journal of Parasitology
Vol. 97 • No. 6
December 2011
Vol. 97 • No. 6
December 2011