Abstract: 　Objective To clone and express a new secretory protein Sjsp16 of Schistosoma japonicum. Methods The specific primers were designed according to the EST sequence and used for amplification of the encoding sequence from the cDNA clone containing Sjsp16. The gene was subcloned into pET28 plasmid and expressed. The structure and functions of this protein were analysed by bioinformatics method. Results The secretory protein gene of Schistosoma japonicum Sjsp16 was cloned and expressed successfully. The bioinformatics analysis showed that there is a signal peptide at the N terminal, which is the character of a secretory protein. It is predicted that Sjsp16 protein contains ML domain, one N glycosylation site, three phosphorylation sites for protein kinase C, four phosphorylation sites for casein kinase II and three N myristoylation sites. Conclusion The protein encoded by Sjsp16 is a secretory one with lipid recognition and lipid binding function, and might be a new candidate for drug target or vaccine.

Key words: Schistosoma japonicum, secretory protein, new gene