Screen and detection of specific antigens of Taenia asiatica cysticercus with two dimensional electrophoresis, western blotting and MS/MS spectrometry

Objective To screen and identify specific antigens of Taenia asiatica cysticercus and to predict the function of target proteins using bioinformatics method.Methods Six three-way cross hybrid pigs were randomly divided into experimental group and control group and each experimental pig was infected with 84 000 eggs.Serum samples were collected 40 days after the infection.The total protein of Taenia asiatica cysticercus was separated by two dimensional electrophoresis and western blotting was performed to find out distinct antigens.Proteins from the two groups were identified by electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry(ESI-Trap MS).Results Totally 204±11 spots were detected through Coomassie brilliant blue stained gels with relative molecular weight(Mr) of 14 400-94 000 kDa and isoelectric point(pI) of 3.0-10.0.Westernblotting showed 6 specific antigen spots with pool sera of infected pigs.Two of the 6 antigens with known functions were ascribed to ATPase family gene 3-like protein 2 and ATP synthase beta subunit.Conclusion Two specific antigens of Taenia asiatica cysticercus have been identified.