Study on cytoadhesion mechanism of Babesia bovis-infected erythrocytes

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06384
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Asada Masahito 帯広畜産大学, 原虫病研究センター, 准教授 (40587028)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: バベシア / 脳バベシア / ウシ / 赤血球

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Bovine babesiosis is a protozoan disease that causes significant economic loss to the livestock industry. Babesia bovis is the most virulent Babesia species and is known to cause a nervous symptom called “cerebral babesiosis” that is fatal to the host. In this study, we analyzed the molecular mechanism of cerebral babesiosis and identified VEAP as a molecule involved in infected erythrocytes’ adhesion to the bovine brain capillary endothelial cells, as well as several exported proteins including MTM. We also analyzed the sequence and adhesive properties of VESA-1, a molecule that is considered to be a ligand for adhesion.

Free Research Field

獣医寄生虫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では脳性バベシア症における赤血球の細胞接着に関わる分子が新たに同定され、同症の分子機序の一端が明らかとなった。さらに、今回新たに同定されたVEAPやMTMは今後バベシア症に対する薬剤開発を行う上での標的分子となり得ると考えられる。さらに、今回得られた宿主細胞修飾分子やVESA-1の配列変化に関する新たな知見は、バベシア原虫にとどまらず、アピコンプレクサ門原虫の研究にも貢献するものと考えられる。