U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Miska, Kateitem
                                            Fetterer, Raymonditem
                                            Lillehoj, Hyunitem
                                            Jenkins, Markitem
                                            Allen, Patriciaitem
                                            HARPER, SUSAN - NIH BETHESDA MD
  Submitted to: Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2006
                                    Publication  Date: 2/13/2007
                                    Citation: Miska, K.B., Fetterer, R.H., Lillehoj, H.S., Jenkins, M.C., Allen, P.C., Harper, S. 2007. The first characterization of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (mif) molecules from apicomplexan parasites belonging to genus Eimeria, the causative agents of chicken coccidiosis. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. 151:173-183.Interpretive Summary: Eimeria are single celled parasites that infect chickens and cause an intestinal infection called coccidiosis that leads to economic losses sustained by the poultry industry.  Through molecular characterization of Eimeria parasites, a novel molecule has been discovered in these species which is related to a mammalian cytokine (molecules which regulate immune responses) named Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF).  It is very interesting why a single celled organism contains such molecules, especially since Eimeria are not capable of complex immune responses.  It is however, possible that Eimeria uses MIF to evade host recognition.  In order to begin characterization of MIF in Eimeria, the gene encoding this protein was cloned, sequenced, and a protein was expressed using recombinant methods.  Our findings suggest that MIF is only present during the intracellular parts of the life cycle.  This protein is also secreted out of the parasite.  Both these findings support the possibility that MIF may be an immuno-regulatory protein in Eimeria.  Future studies will be carried out which will specifically address the role of MIF in Eimeria since its basic characterization has now been achieved.
                                Technical Abstract: Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) was the first cytokine to be identified almost forty years ago. Homologues of MIF have been recently isolated from invertebrates, making it an interesting molecule from an evolutionary as well as functional perspective.  The present study represents the first report of MIF homologues in apicomplexan parasites, belonging to the genus Eimeria.  A single full-length clone was isolated from Eimeria acervulina that shared between 35-38% amino acid identity with the MIFs of vertebrates.  A MIF cDNA from E. tenella shared 64% amino acid identity with E. acervulina MIF.  The mRNA expression was highest in merozoites, with developing oocysts and sporozoites expressing low to undetectable levels. Protein expression patterns were nearly identical to that observed by RT-PCR. Immuno-fluorescence staining of E. acervulina merozoites indicated that MIF is distributed throughout the cytosol, and appears to be concentrated in the apical end of the parasite. Presence of MIF was detected in ES products collected from E. acervulina merozoites, and isoelectric focusing indicated that 3 MIF isoforms are present in this stage.  Phylogenetic analysis revealed that apicomplexan MIF sequences form a sister relationship to MIF-like molecules from Arabidopsis thaliana.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov