Skip to main content
. 2011 May 12;7(5):e1002042. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002042

Figure 3. Phylogenetic relationships of the HDMs.

Figure 3

(A) A bootstrapped (1000 trials) neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree showing the evolutionary relationship of HDM cDNA sequences from medically-important trematode pathogens. Numbers represent bootstrap values (given as percentages) for a particular node, and values greater than 65% are shown. The tree is rooted to human CAP18 (accession number NM_004345). Three major clades are shown corresponding to the Sm16-like molecules, the schistosome HDMs and HDMs from Fasciola and the Asian flukes. (B) Primary sequence alignment of selected members of the HDM clades. Conserved residues that contribute to the hydrophobic face of the amphipathic helix are shaded in grey. (C) Top panel. RT-PCR analysis of FhHDM-1 expression in F. hepatica newly excysted juveniles (NEJ), 21-day immature flukes (21d) and adult worms (Adult). Amplification of constitutively expressed F. hepatica β-actin was performed as a positive control. Samples were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and stained with ethidium bromide. Bottom panel. Immunogenicity of FhHDM-1 in F. hepatica-infected sheep. Pre-infection sera (Pre) and samples taken 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks post-infection were analysed by ELISA and Western blot using an anti-FhHDM-1 antibody. Specific antibody responses were detected at week 4 with immunoblot staining stronger at weeks 8 and 12 after infection.