The structural features and immunological role of biomphalysins in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata

This work focuses on biomphalysins, β-pore forming toxins of the aerolysin-like protein family in Biomphalaria glabrata. The study examined the tissue distribution of biomphalysin 1 and 2 using immunofluorescence, revealing unexpected sites of synthesis. Structural predictions for the 23 biomphalysins were refined with AlphaFold2, and proteomic analyses identified post-translational cleavage regions of biomphalysin 1.

Gene transcription and protein presence in plasma were assessed in both naïve and Schistosoma mansoni-infected snails. Results show that biomphalysin 1 and 2 play key roles in humoral immunity by binding to and lysing different cell types.