Schistosoma mansoni myosin regulatory light chain (SmMLC)

Schistosoma mansoni myosin regulatory light chain (SmMLC) is a 19-kDa calcium-binding protein that serves as a critical regulatory subunit of the myosin motor complex in schistosomes, the helminth parasites responsible for schistosomiasis (UniProt P09541). It belongs to the EF-hand protein superfamily and is primarily involved in the regulation of muscle contraction by modulating the ATPase activity of the myosin heavy chain in response to intracellular calcium fluctuations (Asahi et al., 1998). SmMLC is localized within the parasite's subtegumental muscle layers and the tegument itself, which is the primary interface between the parasite and the host's immune system (Ramaswamy et al., 2003). Historically, SmMLC has been identified as a molecular binding partner of praziquantel, the frontline anthelmintic drug, which causes rapid calcium influx and spastic paralysis in the worms (Valle et al., 2005). Additionally, SmMLC is recognized as a promising vaccine candidate; experimental immunization with recombinant SmMLC has demonstrated significant reductions in worm burden and egg-induced pathology in animal models (Zhang et al., 2014). Its essential role in parasite motility and structural integrity makes it a high-priority target for both drug development and immunological intervention (Cioli et al., 2014).

Other names

Myosin regulatory light chain 2SmRLCSmMLC-2MLC-2Schistosome myosin regulatory light chain

Modulation of calcium-dependent myosin activity and muscle contraction, potentially contributing to the spastic paralysis and tegumental damage observed in the parasite upon drug exposure.