Synthesis of Stable Microcapsules from Trematode Eggshell Components

摘要

The trematode Fasciola hepatica produces a unique protein eggshell ormicrocapsule the components of which are the subject of the current study. The sell is composed of three major proteins, vpA, vpB, vpB and vpC each of which contains unusual post-translational modifications of tyrosine residues to dihydroxyphenylalanine DOPA); the DOPA residues permit enzymatic crosslinking of the shell proteins to produce a hard quinone tanned microcapsule with unusual properties. The focus of this project is to: (i) characterize the protein components of the microcapsule, (ii) characterize the enzymes involved in the crosslinking process, (iii) define the chemical crosslinks involved in shell maturation, (iv) survey the role of metals in the crosslinking and stability of the shell (v) isolate the genes encoding the structural components in order to mimick aspects of microencapsulation in vitro. Keywords: Microcapsule, Dopa-proteins, Trematode, Crosslinks, Eggshell. (JES)