Neospora caninum is a coccidian Parasite that is a significant cause of reproductive failure and abortion in cattle worldwide. The disease caused by Neospora caninum is called neosporosis, and it affects a wide range of other animal species, including dogs, horses, and deer. Infection in humans is rare, but it can occur in immunocompromised individuals. Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular Parasite that has a complex life cycle and relies on a variety of proteins to invade and survive in host cells.

Major Surface Proteins:

Neospora caninum possesses a diverse range of major surface proteins (MSPs) that are involved in host cell invasion, virulence, and immune evasion. Some of the key MSPs in Neospora caninum are:

Bradyzoite protein MAG1: This protein is a bradyzoite-specific surface antigen that is expressed during chronic infections. It is involved in the regulation of the cyst wall and is important for the survival of the Parasite in host tissues.

NcMIC10: This protein is a microneme protein that is involved in host cell invasion. It is also a target for host immune responses and has been shown to confer protection against neosporosis.

Bradyzoite protein BAG1: This protein is another bradyzoite-specific surface antigen that is involved in the maintenance of the cyst wall. It is also a target for host immune responses and has been shown to stimulate a protective immune response in animal models.

Dense granule protein 2 (Antigen Nc14.1): This protein is a dense granule protein that is involved in the formation of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). It is also involved in the modulation of host cell signaling pathways and is essential for the survival of the Parasite in host cells.

Dense granule protein 1: This protein is also a dense granule protein that is involved in the formation of the PVM. It is also involved in the modulation of host cell signaling pathways and is essential for the survival of the Parasite in host cells.

Bradyzoite surface protein BSR4: This protein is a surface antigen that is highly expressed during chronic infections. It is involved in the regulation of the cyst wall and is important for the survival of the Parasite in host tissues.

Surface protein P36: This protein is a surface antigen that is involved in host cell invasion. It is also a target for host immune responses and has been shown to confer protection against neosporosis.

Microneme-associated protein: This protein is a microneme protein that is involved in host cell invasion. It is also a target for host immune responses and has been shown to confer protection against neosporosis.

Apical membrane antigen 1: This protein is a surface antigen that is involved in host cell invasion. It is also a target for host immune responses and has been shown to confer protection against neosporosis.

SRS2 surface antigen: This protein is a surface antigen that is highly expressed during chronic infections. It is involved in the regulation of the cyst wall and is important for the survival of the Parasite in host tissues.

Several proteins have been identified in Neospora caninum, which play an essential role in its survival, virulence, and pathogenesis. These proteins are involved in various biological processes, such as invasion, adhesion, and modulation of host immune response. Some of the most important proteins of Neospora caninum are:

Bradyzoite protein MAG1
NcMIC10
Bradyzoite protein BAG1
Dense granule protein 2 (Antigen Nc14.1)
Dense granule protein 1
Bradyzoite surface protein BSR4
Surface protein P36
Microneme-associated protein
Apical membrane antigen 1
SRS2 surface antigen
Major surface protein
P29 surface antigen

Neospora caninum cDNA and recombinant antigen can be used in a variety of applications, including the development of diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapeutic strategies. Diagnostic tests utilizing Neospora caninum cDNA and recombinant antigen can be used to accurately detect the presence of the Parasite in a sample of serum or tissue, aiding in diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Vaccines developed using Neospora caninum cDNA and recombinant antigen can be used to protect animals from infection, reducing the spread of the Parasite. Therapeutic strategies utilizing Neospora caninum cDNA and recombinant antigen can be used to target the Parasite directly and reduce the severity of symptoms associated with the disease.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has skyrocketed. However, in heterologous expression systems, successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on a variety of factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content. When compared to pre-optimization, more and more experimental results demonstrated that the expression level was dramatically increased, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform that has resulted in the creation of over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), which are ready for production of the recombinant proteins.