Molecular Characterization of the Schistosoma mansoni Zinc Finger Protein SmZF1 as a Transcription Factor
Figure 1
Native SmZF1 displays a nuclear localization at diverse stages of S. mansoni development.
Fixed parasites were incubated with a rabbit anti-SmZF1 antibody, and then with a Cy-5 conjugated anti-rabbit IgG in a solution containing Alexa Fluor 488 phalloidin to stain actin microfilaments (phalloidin staining was not used with adult male worms). Samples were incubated with propidium iodide to visualize cells nuclei. Fluorescent images were obtained using a 63x oil-immersion objective lens and confocal microscopy (Carl Zeiss LSM 510 META). Images were analyzed with the Zeiss LSM Image Browser software and edited with Adobe Photoshop CS. To help distinguish the individual fluorescence signals, the original fluorescence colors were digitally modified. In the figure, fluorescence from Cy-5 is shown in red, propidium iodide in blue and phalloidin-Alexa fluor 488 in green. The merged blue and red produces a pink color. For adult male worms a phase contrast image is also presented. The following developmental stages were assayed: adult male (A–D) and female (F–I) worms, cercaria (K–N) and schistossomulum (P–S). Rabbit pre-immune serum was used as a control and was negative in all samples (E, J, O and T). Bars = 20 µm.
