ArticleParasites & vectors2017
Hap2, a novel gene in Babesia bigemina is expressed in tick stages, and specific antibodies block zygote formation.
Article in Parasites & vectors, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers.
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Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 47 citations in OpenAlex.
- Molecular determinants of species-specific gamete adhesion triggering HAP2-mediated membrane fusion.Nature communications · 2026Article
- Structural and antigenic characterization of Babesia Bovis HAP2 domains.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Expression of sex-specific molecular markers by Babesia bovis gametes.Parasites & vectors · 2024Article
- Current vaccines, experimental immunization trials, and new perspectives to control selected vector borne blood parasites of veterinary importance.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2024Review
- Vaccination of cattle with the Babesia bovis sexual-stage protein HAP2 abrogates parasite transmission by Rhipicephalus microplus ticks.NPJ vaccines · 2023Article
- Advances inPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- DMP8 and 9 regulate HAP2/GCS1 trafficking for the timely acquisition of sperm fusion competence.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2022Article
- Comparison of high throughput RNA sequences betweenFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2022Article
- MAR1 links membrane adhesion to membrane merger during cell-cell fusion in Chlamydomonas.Developmental cell · 2021Article
- Sexual Development in Non-Human Parasitic Apicomplexa: Just Biology or Targets for Control?Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2021Review
- Differential expression of calcium-dependent protein kinase 4, tubulin tyrosine ligase, and methyltransferase by xanthurenic acid-induced Babesia bovis sexual stages.Parasites & vectors · 2021Article
- A Comparative Genomic Study of Attenuated and Virulent Strains ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- HAP2-Mediated Gamete Fusion: Lessons From the World of Unicellular Eukaryotes.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2021Review
- Bovine Babesiosis in Turkey: Impact, Current Gaps, and Opportunities for Intervention.Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2020Review
- Identification of proteins expressed by Babesia bigemina kinetes.Parasites & vectors · 2019Article
- An experimental genetically attenuated live vaccine to prevent transmission of Toxoplasma gondii by cats.Scientific reports · 2019Article
- Unravelling the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of bovine babesiosis: is the sky the limit?International journal for parasitology · 2019Review
- Identification of a putative methyltransferase gene of Babesia bigemina as a novel molecular biomarker uniquely expressed in parasite tick stages.Parasites & vectors · 2018Article
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundBovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. In their host vector, Babesia spp. undergo sexual reproduction. Therefore, the development of sexual stages and the subsequent formation of the zygote are essential for the parasite to invade the intestinal cells of the vector tick and continue its life-cycle. HAP2/GCS1 is a protein identified in plants, protozoan parasites and other organisms that has an important role during membrane fusion in fertilization processes. The identification and characterization of HAP-2 protein in Babesia would be very significant to understand the biology of the parasite and to develop a transmission-blocking vaccine in the future.
resultsTo isolate and sequence the hap2 gene DNA from an infected bovine with Babesia bigemina was purified. The hap2 gene was amplified, cloned and sequenced. The sequences of hap2 from four geographically different strains showed high conservation at the amino acid level, including the typical structure with a signal peptide and the HAP2/GSC domain. Antisera anti-HAP2 against the conserved extracellular region of the HAP2 amino acid sequence were obtained from rabbits. The expression of hap2 in the host and vector tissues was analyzed by using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the protein was examined by western blot and immunofluorescence. Based on the RT-PCR and WB results, HAP2 is expressed in both, sexual stages induced in vitro, and in infected ticks as well. We did not detect any expression in asexual erythrocytic stages of B. bigemina, relevantly anti-HAP2 specific antibodies were able to block zygotes formation in vitro.
conclusionBabesia bigemina HAP2 is expressed only in tick-infecting stages, and specific antibodies block zygote formation. Further studies regarding the function of HAP2 during tick infection may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of sexual reproduction of the parasite.
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