First characterization of SmOPG1, a novel protein involved in gonad-associated processes in Schistosoma mansoni

In the context of investigating the exceptional reproductive biology of schistosomes, several studies have focused on the identification and characterization of involved molecules. Among these are cellular tyrosine kinases (CTKs) which control differentiation processes in the female gonads. On the way to unravel CTK-mediated signaling processes in more detail, several upstream- and downstream partners of these CTKs were identified. In this context we present here first data characterizing the novel orphan gene Sm opg1. Annotated as hypothetical protein, SmOPG1 was identified as an interaction partner of the CTK SmTK6 by yeast two-hybrid library screening. Y2/3H interaction studies showed that SmTK6 binds with its SH2 domain to a specific binding motif within the C-terminus of SmOPG1. Additionally, in situ-hybridization and organ-specific RT-PCR analyses demonstrated the co-localization of SmOPG1 and SmTK6 transcripts in the gonads of adult S. mansoni. Finally, SmOPG1 knock-down provided first hints for a function in the ovary.