Fig. 2

Localization of mRNAs encoding SmCB1, SmPOP, SmTsp-2, and Sm29 in adult S. mansoni females using FISH. Semi-thin (6 μm) sections of adult S. mansoni female worms were probed with DIG-labelled RNA probes designed to detect SmCB1, SmPOP, SmTsp-2, or Sm29 mRNAs. The probes hybridized with transcripts were visualized by tyramide amplification assay (red). Adult females were monitored in three parts: a an anterior part, b oviduct, mature and immature oocytes, and c vitellaria and gut. DAPI was used to label nuclear DNA (blue). The left columns show merged fluorescent channels; in the right columns, the fluorescent red signal is merged with differential interference contrast. a A strong signal of SmPOP, SmTsp-2; and Sm29 was detected in parenchymal cells of the anterior part of the female. b A strong fluorescent signal of SmTsp-2 and faint scattered SmPOP signals were observed in mature and immature oocytes; the oviduct is rich in SmCB1, SmPOP, and SmTsp-2 transcripts. c SmPOP and SmTsp-2 mRNAs are strongly expressed in vitellaria, while mRNAs of SmCB1 and Sm29 are not shown. a–c Transcripts of SmCB1 are present in the gut throughout the whole worm. The scale bars represent 100 µm