Insilico Functional Annotation for Antigenic Proteins of Trichomonas Foetus

Abstract

Introduction:  Bovine Trichomonosis is considered as one of the most neglected diseases of cattle in that are known to have sexually transmission. Though cattle remain asymptomatic initially, but eventually leads to frequent abortions, and finally to complete reproductive failure. Lack of point of care diagnostics remains the major hurdle for screening for Trichomoniasis. In our earlier work, we have identified several potential immunogenic proteins that can be targeted as diagnostic markers. In this current study, we have chosen Cysteine protease 8, Surface antigen BspA-like Protein, Chlamydia polymorphic membrane protein-like, Circumsporozoite protein precursor, hypothetical protein, Immuno-dominant variable surface antigen-like, Ser/Thr protein phosphatase as frequently expressed proteins of Trichomonas foetus for functional annotation.

Results and discussion: Gene ontology resource for functional annotations reveal that all the proteins are involved in host pathogen interaction and establishing virulence. Except for surface antigen BspA-like Protein, all the above proteins are relatively small to medium size proteins with 300 to 800 amino acids length and are suitable  for in- vitro studies.   Based on sub-cellular localization predictions,. Clan SB, family S8, subtilisin_like serine peptidase, Hypothetical protein, Immuno-dominant variable surface antigen-like Ser/Thr protein phosphatase, Adhesin are mostly confined to plasma membrane and out side the membrane.

Conclusions: Trichomonas foetus was found to have several immuogenic proteins with  large outer membrane protein domains.  Such proteins are most likely to have major role in host pathogen interaction. The proteins may have multiple large epitopes and exhibit efficient immune reactions.  Heterologous expression of above proteins would promise to develop point of care diagnostics like Lateral flow assays and ELISA.