PFOR(pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase) over-expressed by iron, related with virulence of Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases. It is known that the iron increase the virulence of T. vaginalis. The present study was performed to find characterization of 128kDa protein of T. vaginalis induced by iron. Trichomonas cultivated in iron-supplemented TYM medium, and anti-128kDa antibody(IgG) purified from rabbit immunized with 128kDa protein were used for evaluation of character of 128kDa protein. The results observed are as follow:A 128kDa protein expression is increased in trichomonas cultivated in iron-supplemented TYM medium compared with those of normal and iron-depleted media by SDS-PAGE. The 128 kDa protein has homology to pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase in hydrogenosome of T. vaginalis by peptide analysis of MALDI-TOF-MS. When trophozoites are reacted with anti-128kDa antibody in order to find out localization of 128 kDa protein in T. vaginalis, anti-128kDa antibody is mainly observed in membrane of T. vaginalis by immunofluorescence antibody assay using FITC-antirabbit IgG. The trichomonads pretreated with anti-128kDa antibody showed inhibition of trophozoites prol;iferation and of adherence of T. vaginalis to HeLa and MS74 cell, and decreased abscess size compared with control group without pretreatemnt. With above results, it is supporsed that the 128kDa protein of T. vaginalis induced by iron is assumed as PFOR, and may be related with virulence of T. vaginalis.