Cloning and Expression of a 15 kDa Excretory-Secretory Protein of the nematode Haemonchus contortus Bareilly isolate

Abstract

Haemonchus contortus is considered as a major pathogenic nematode of small ruminants, due to its blood feeding habit causing severe anemia and death. The infestation is controlled by using anthelmentics traditionally, but the emergengence of resistant strains and restrictions for drug residues for export purposes pose a major challenge now a days. Alternate control strategies like biological control, pasture management and vaccines are being employed to overcome these limitations. Excretory–secretory proteins are considered to be effective targets for vaccine development, since most of them are recognized by host immune systems. The current study describes the characterization and expression of a 15 kDa ESP in a heterologus system for its possible use as vaccine canditate. The gene of interest was amplified from cDNA template by PCR. The amplicon was cloned into an E.coli expression vector. The protein was expressed and purified to homogeneity by column chromatagraphy. But it showed less reactivity to antibodies against infected animals serum.