Schistosoma mansoni: Gene structure and localization of a homologue to cysteine protease ER 60

We have isolated and characterized a cDNA encoding the complete sequence of a homologue of the ER luminal cysteine protease ER 60 in Schistosoma mansoni. The deduced protein of 484 amino acids contains two thioredoxin domains, each with the CGHC motif, that characterize all members of the protein disulfide isomerase family. The corresponding gene exists as a single copy and consists of six exons, interrupted by five very small introns of 32 to 40 nucleotides. Immunohistology and in situ hybridization identify the sustentacular cells of the testes, the wall cells of the protonephridia, and the gastrodermis of the gut to be the major tissues of ER 60 gene expression; (C) 1997 Academic Press.