Identification of the enzyme activity of human Demodex aspartic protease and its function to hydrolyse host macromolecules and skin cell proteins.

Aspartic protease (ASP), a common proteolytic enzyme, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of numerous parasites. However, its role in Demodex remains unclear. Herein, we studied the expression, purification, enzymatic activity detection, and hydrolysis function of human Demodex ASP.

Discovery and demonstration of the temperature stress response functions of Dermatophagoides farinae proteins 1 and 2.

Background: Dermatophagoides farinae proteins (DFPs) are abundantly expressed in D. farinae; however, their functions remain unknown. Our previous transcriptome sequencing analyses revealed that the basal expression of DFP1 and DFP2 in D.

Prokaryotic expression of DFP1 and DFP2 in Dermatophagoides farinae and their responses to temperature stress.

The functions of highly expressed genes DFP1 and DFP2 in Dermatophagoides farinae remain unknown. DFP1 and DFP2 have been abundantly annotated and were up-regulated under temperature stress at 43 °C and -10 °C in our previous RNA-seq study, indicating that DFP1 and DFP2 may have temperature stress response function. Here, we amplified, cloned, and sequenced to obtain the complete coding sequences of DFP1 and DFP2 and predicted their protein characteristics using bioinformatics analysis.

Cloning, sequencing, expression, and purification of aspartic proteases isolated from two human Demodex species.

Aspartic proteases (ASPs) are important hydrolases for parasitic invasion of host tissues or cells. This was the first study on Demodex ASP. First, the complete coding sequence (CDS) was amplified, cloned and sequenced.

Classification and identification of mosquitoes in China based on rDNA 28S D5 region.

Accurate classification and identification of mosquitoes are essential for the prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases. In this study, adult mosquitoes were collected from 15 cities across 14 provinces in China. They were identified morphologically with the dominant species determined.

Identification and genetic characterisatin of cathepsin L in Demodex.

Owing to difficulties in obtaining functional gene sequences, molecular pathogenic mechanisms in Demodex have been understudied. In this study, overlap extension PCR was used to obtain the sequences of cathepsin L (CatL), a pathogenicity-related gene, to provide a foundation for subsequent functional research. Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis mites were obtained from the face skin of Chinese individuals, and Demodex canis mites were isolated from the skin lesions of a dog.

Secondary structure construction and molecular identification of rRNA 18S V4 region E23-5-E23-6 of parasitic lice of Hominidae.

The parasitic lice of Hominidae are a class of blood-sucking insects, having a large fragment expansion region in ribosome 18S V4 region. In this study, the value of the E23-5-E23-6 stem-loop structure in the insertion region for molecular identification of lice were explored through motif analysis and secondary structure construction. Five pubic lice samples from China were morphologically identified, and primers for the rRNA 18S V4 region were designed for molecular identification.

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae) Larvae Collected from a Chinese Patient with Conjunctival Myiasis.

Purpose: Human conjunctival myiasis, which is often misdiagnosed or missed clinically, is commonly caused by Oestrus ovis larvae. Here, pathogenic identification was performed for two maggots collected from a patient from China, to provide a clinical scientific basis for diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: Morphological identification was performed using a microscope.

Establishment of purification method for prokaryotic expression of Serpin gene for Dermatophagoides farinae.

This study aimed to develop an effective method for the expression and purification of the Dermatophagoides farinae serpin protein and to establish an experimental foundation for elucidating its role in the temperature stress response. The total RNA of D. farinae was extracted, and specific primers were designed for serpin amplification.

Bacterial and diazotrophic diversities of endophytes in Dendrobium catenatum determined through barcoded pyrosequencing.

As an epiphyte orchid, Dendrobium catenatum relies on microorganisms for requisite nutrients. Metagenome pyrosequencing based on 16S rRNA and nifH genes was used to characterize the bacterial and diazotrophic communities associated with D. catenatum collected from 5 districts in China.