Histomonas meleagridis cell surface protein HP3 (HmHP3)

The target name "Histomonas meleagridis cell surface protein HP3" is likely a misidentification derived from proteomic study sample identifiers, where "HP3" refers to the third replicate of a high-passage (attenuated) strain of the parasite (Mazumdar et al., 2019). Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoan pathogen that causes histomonosis, also known as blackhead disease, which is characterized by severe necrosis of the cecum and liver in poultry, particularly turkeys. The parasite's cell surface proteins, such as alpha-actinins (ACTN1, ACTN2, and ACTN3) and BspA-like proteins, are critical for adhesion to host cells and tissue invasion, making them significant areas of research for vaccine development. Research has shown that alpha-actinin 3 is one of several immunogenic proteins found on the surface or in the cytoplasm of the parasite that can induce a humoral immune response in infected birds. Since the withdrawal of effective antihistomonal drugs like nitarsone due to safety concerns, there has been a renewed focus on identifying surface antigens as candidates for live-attenuated or recombinant vaccines. While specific drugs like paromomycin are used where permitted, the search for novel therapeutic targets on the cell surface remains a priority for controlling this re-emerging disease in the poultry industry.

Other names

Alpha-actinin 3ACTN3Hydrogenosomal membrane protein 3Hmp3BspA-like proteinHigh passage replicate 3