Structural modelling studies and immunoprophylactic potential of Brugia malayi DEAD Box RNA Helicase

Abstract

DEAD Box RNA helicases are essential enzymes that are involved in RNA metabolic processes such as, transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, translation initiation, and RNA decay. We had earlier overexpressed and biochemically characterized an immunodominant cDNA clone encoding DEAD box RNA helicase (BmL3-Helicase) isolated by immunoscreening of larval stage cDNA library of B. malayi. In the current study, the 3D structure and immunoprophylactic potential of BmL3-Helicase was determined. The immunoprophylactic efficacy of BmL3-Helicase was investigated by immunizing Mastomys coucha with the recombinant protein along with Freund’s adjuvant and subsequently challenging them with B. malayi infective larvae. The immunization had adverse outcome on the establishment of larvae resulting into 67.4% reduction in the adult parasite recovery, 86.7% decrease in the microfilarial density and profound sterility of the recovered female worms. The immune response thus generated was investigated by measuring the levels of specific antibodies including IgG subclasses, reactive oxygen species and cytokines.