Characterization of Calcium-Binding Proteins from Parasitic Worms

Charlotte M. Thomas, David J. Timson

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    Parasitic diseases caused by helminths (worms) represent a major burden on humanity with hundreds of millions of people infected worldwide. However, there are relatively few drugs to treat these diseases, and resistance is emerging to some of these. Therefore, there is a pressing need to characterize proteins from helminths as potential drug targets. Calcium signalling proteins represent attractive targets due to the vital nature of properly regulated calcium-mediated signalling and the presence of unusual calcium-binding proteins in helminths. Here we present methods to characterize these proteins in terms of their ion-binding properties, drug-binding properties, and oligomeric state, including a method to correct for the effects of non-spherical proteins in analytical gel filtration. In addition we present an overview of their recombinant expression and purification and methods to predict their structures.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationCalcium-Binding Proteins of the EF-Hand Superfamily
    EditorsC. Heizmann
    Place of PublicationNew York
    PublisherHumana Press
    Pages615-641
    Number of pages27
    Volume1929
    ISBN (Electronic)9781493990306
    ISBN (Print)9781493990290
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2 Feb 2019

    Publication series

    NameMethods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)

    Keywords

    • Calcium ion
    • Cross-linking
    • Divalent cation
    • Drug binding
    • EF-hand
    • Fasciola spp.
    • Native gel electrophoresis
    • Neglected tropical disease
    • Protein modelling
    • Schistosoma spp.
    • Trematodes

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