Schistosomes acquire @entity1718 from their hosts, although how these parasites bind @entity1 low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and like molecules that transport @entity1718 is not understood. Because parasite surface-bound host LDL may provide the schistosome with @entity165 and other lipids, as well as aid immune avoidance, understanding this process may provide fundamental insights into lipid metabolism and host defense in schistosomes. To investigate molecular aspects of lipid acquisition by schistosomes, transcripts encoding a very (V)LDL-receptor ligand binding, @entity462 -rich repeat-containing protein were isolated from @entity2042 cDNAs. The deduced @entity535 sequence included 207 residues with an @entity2733 -terminal LDL ligand-binding @entity2569 -rich motif and a @entity1473 -terminal transmembrane (TM) domain. The ligand-binding domain was similar in sequence and structure to ligand-binding @entity2569 -rich repeat domains from @entity1 very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and LDL receptors, which are multi-domain proteins. This putative VLDL binding protein, designated @entity2043 very low-density lipoprotein binding protein (SVLBP), appeared to be membrane-associated, sensitive to reducing conditions, and included intra-molecular @entity1520 linkages. A three-dimensional (3D) model suggested that two of the three @entity2569 residues form intra- and/or inter-molecular @entity1520 bridges that contribute to a patch of negative charge on the molecular surface, assumed to be associated with VLDL binding activity. SVLBP in membrane-associated and soluble fractions of adult schistosomes bound @entity1 plasma VLDL in vitro, and VLDL bound to recombinant SVLBP inhibited the binding of anti-recombinant SVLBP antibodies. Immunolocalization of SVLBP revealed prominent expression in the tegument and sub-tegument of adult male schistosomes. SVLBP may play a key role in lipid acquisition by @entity2043 .

A XXXX very low-density lipoprotein-binding protein.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['mammalian', 'human'] @entity462 :: ('MESH:D003545', 'Chemical') :: ['cysteine'] @entity1473 :: ('CHEBI:46883', 'Chemical') :: ['COOH'] @entity535 :: ('CHEBI:33704', 'Chemical') :: ['amino acid'] @entity2569 :: ('CHEBI:17561', 'Chemical') :: ['Cys'] @entity2043 :: ('332056', 'Species') :: ['S. japonicum'] @entity2733 :: ('CHEBI:29345', 'Chemical') :: ['NH2'] @entity1520 :: ('CHEBI:48343', 'Chemical') :: ['disulfide'] @entity1718 :: ('MESH:D005227', 'Chemical') :: ['fatty acids'] @entity2042 :: ('6182', 'Species') :: ['Schistosoma japonicum'] @entity165 :: ('MESH:D002784', 'Chemical') :: ['cholesterol']
@entity2042 :: (6182,Species) :: ['Schistosoma japonicum']
