[Acquisition and analysis of 149 ESTs and 18 novel genes of Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To acquire and analyze adult stage Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) expressed sequence tags and new genes from an adult S. japonicum cDNA library, and to search new vaccine candidates and drug targets. METHODS: A cDNA library was constructed from adult stage S. japonicum. Clones were selected randomly from the cDNA library and were sequenced. ESTs and new genes were acquired after analysis in GenBank databases by BLAST and other programs. All ESTs and new genes were submitted to GenBank and received accession numbers. RESULTS: 149 ESTs were acquired from a total 382 clones that were randomly selected from the adult S. japonicum cDNA library. All ESTs were successfully submitted to the dbEST at Genbank. Some of them were homologous with sequences of male, female, egg, schistosomula, cercaria and miracidia of S. japonicum. 18 new genes of adult S. japonicum were acquired. Some genes were housekeeping genes and some genes might be interesting as vaccine candidates or drugs targets. CONCLUSIONS: The EST strategy is a rapid, efficient and economical method to acquire ESTs and to discover new genes of adult stage S. japonicum from cDNA libraries.