We investigated the effect of Schistosoma japonicum adenylate kinase 1 (Sjak1) on the growth and development of schistosomula. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that Sjak1 mRNA was expressed in 3-, 10-, 14-, 18-, and 21-day-old schistosomula, and its levels increased gradually with the development of S. japonicum. Using immunohistochemical techniques, ak1 protein was found to be mainly distributed in the tegument and some parenchymal tissues of the schistosomula. Double-stranded RNA-mediated knockdowns of ak1 decreased ak1 mRNA transcripts by more than 90%, and western blot results showed that expression of ak1 protein was decreased by 66%. Scanning electron microscopy following the RNA-mediated ak1 knockdown showed that the sensory papillae did not develop. Transmission electron microscopy showed a lower mean thickness of the tegument in the Sjak1 interference group than in the negative control group. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling suggested higher apoptosis in the interference group than the negative control group. These results showed that ak1 may be involved in the growth and development of S. japonicum schistosomula and especially in the development of the integument. Consequently, ak1 may be a potential target in developing prevention methods for schistosomiasis in the future.

我们研究了日本血吸虫腺苷酸激酶 1 ( Sj ak1) 对血吸虫生长发育的影响。实时定量 PCR 显示Sjak1 mRNA 在3、10、14、18和 21 天龄的血吸虫中均有表达，并且其水平随着S. japonicum的发育而逐渐升高. 使用免疫组化技术，发现ak1蛋白主要分布在血吸虫的外皮和一些实质组织中。双链 RNA 介导的 ak1 敲低使 ak1 mRNA 转录本减少了 90% 以上，蛋白质印迹结果显示 ak1 蛋白的表达减少了 66%。RNA 介导的 ak1 敲低后的扫描电子显微镜显示，感觉乳头没有发育。透射电子显微镜显示Sjak1 的表皮平均厚度较低干扰组优于阴性对照组。末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶 dUTP 缺口末端标记表明干扰组的细胞凋亡高于阴性对照组。这些结果表明，AK1可能在生长发育参与日本血吸虫童虫，尤其是在外皮的发展。因此，ak1 可能是未来开发血吸虫病预防方法的潜在目标。