Page 8 - U. Protein structure and function
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[U. Protein structure and function-4]
Isolation and characterization of dopamine transporter in
Clonorchis sinensis
Ho Jun Jang¹, Haneul Jung¹, YunKyu Park¹, Seok Ho Cha¹
¹Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
Dopamine is an organic chemical of the catecholamine and phenethylamine families. The role of dopamine
transporter is reabsorption the dopamine after it has been released and sent its message. There is a reports on
existence of dopamine receptor in C. sinensis. It also suggest dopamine transporter for reabsorption of dopamine.
Therefore, we try to isolate and characterize the dopamine transporter gene from adult C. sinensis.
From NCBI database, the target dopamine transporter (CsDT) gene was isolated using reverse-transcription
polymerase chain reaction. The open reading frame of CsDT cDNA consist of 1962 base pairs that encoded a 653-
amino acid residue protein. Hydropathy analysis suggested that CsDT possess 12 putative membrane-spanning
domains. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, CsDT mediated the transport of radiolabeled dopamine in a time-
and sodium-dependent manner. There was no efflux of radiolabeled dopamine by high concentration of extracellular
unlabeled dopamine. From concentration dependent uptake, the Km value and Vmax value was 521.1 nM/oocyte/hr
and 1616 fmol/oocyte/hr by Lineweaver-Burk equation.
These results might give a clue on neurotransmitter cycle in Chinese fluke.
