51
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Blake DP, Oakes R, Smith AL. A genetic linkage map for the apicomplexan protozoan parasite Eimeria maxima and comparison with Eimeria tenella. Int J Parasitol 2011; 41:263-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2010] [Revised: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 09/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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52
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Vaccination of chickens with DNA vaccine encoding Eimeria acervulina 3-1E and chicken IL-15 offers protection against homologous challenge. Exp Parasitol 2011; 127:208-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Revised: 07/26/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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53
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Analysis of differentially expressed genes in the precocious line of Eimeria maxima and its parent strain using suppression subtractive hybridization and cDNA microarrays. Parasitol Res 2010; 108:1033-40. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2149-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 10/29/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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54
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Hikosaka K, Nakai Y, Watanabe YI, Tachibana SI, Arisue N, Palacpac NMQ, Toyama T, Honma H, Horii T, Kita K, Tanabe K. Concatenated mitochondrial DNA of the coccidian parasite Eimeria tenella. Mitochondrion 2010; 11:273-8. [PMID: 21047565 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2010.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2010] [Revised: 10/12/2010] [Accepted: 10/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, pathogens causing malaria, and the genera Babesia and Theileria, aetiological agents of piroplasmosis, are closely related. However, their mitochondrial (mt) genome structures are highly divergent: Plasmodium has a concatemer of 6-kb unit and Babesia/Theileria a monomer of 6.6- to 8.2-kb with terminal inverted repeats. Fragmentation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and gene arrangements are remarkably distinctive. To elucidate the evolutionary origin of this structural divergence, we determined the mt genome of Eimeria tenella, pathogens of coccidiosis in domestic fowls. Analysis revealed that E. tenella mt genome was concatemeric with similar protein-coding genes and rRNA gene fragments to Plasmodium. Copy number was 50-fold of the nuclear genome. Evolution of structural divergence in the apicomplexan mt genomes is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hikosaka
- International Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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55
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Bera AK, Bhattacharya D, Pan D, Manna B, Bandyopadhyay S, Das SK. Effect of heat killed Mycobacterium phlei on body weight gain and management of caecal coccidiosis in broiler chickens. Res Vet Sci 2010; 89:196-9. [PMID: 20347460 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2010.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2007] [Revised: 02/28/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunotherapeutic potential of heat killed Mycobacterium phlei in broiler chicken against experimentally produced Eimeria tenella infection. The selected dose of E. tenella oocyst (5x10(3) sporulated oocysts per bird) was capable of producing a mild form of caecal coccidiosis as observed by significant difference in body weight gain, clinical findings and caecal lesion score. Heat killed M. phlei was fed orally at 10 mg per bird with sterile PBS vehicle at alternate day for four doses. Our study reveals that per day body weight gain was significantly (p<0.01) higher for healthy control compared to coccidia infected group. The group fed M. phlei along with coccidial challenge showed significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight gain than infected control group. Heat killed M. phlei feeding also found effective to reduce the caecal lesion score significantly (p<0.05) in comparison to E. tenella infected untreated group. IgA concentrations in serum and bile at 7-day post challenge of coccidial oocyst was also significantly (p<0.01) higher in M. phlei fed group when compared to coccidia infected and healthy control group. We concluded that use of heat killed M. phlei has a beneficial role as an immunostimulant against caecal coccidiosis in broiler chicken.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Bera
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, 37, Belgachia Road, Kolkata 700037, India.
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56
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Eimeria tenella glucose-6-phosphate isomerase: molecular characterization and assessment as a target for anti-coccidial control. Parasitology 2010; 137:1169-77. [PMID: 20233491 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182010000119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Limitations with current chemotherapeutic and vaccinal control of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria species continue to prompt development of novel controls, including the identification of new drug targets. Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (G6-PI) has been proposed as a valid drug target for many protozoa, although polymorphism revealed by electrophoretic enzyme mobility has raised doubts for Eimeria. In this study we identified and sequenced the Eimeria tenella G6-PI orthologue (EtG6-PI) from the reference Houghton strain and confirmed its position within the prevailing taxonomic hierarchy, branching with the Apicomplexa and Plantae, distinct from the Animalia including the host, Gallus gallus. Comparison of the deduced 1647 bp EtG6-PI coding sequence with the 9016 bp genomic locus revealed 15 exons, all of which obey the intron-AG-/exon/-GT-intron splicing rule. Comparison with the Weybridge and Wisconsin strains revealed the presence of 33 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 14 insertion/deletion sites. Three SNPs were exonic and all yielded non-synonymous substitutions. Preliminary structural predictions suggest little association between the coding SNPs and key G6-PI catalytic residues or residues thought to be involved in the coordination of the G6-PI's substrate phosphate group. Thus, the significant polymorphism from its host orthologue and minimal intra-specific polymorphism suggest G6-PI remains a valid anti-coccidial drug target.
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57
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Meiotic chromosome pairing and bouquet formation during Eimeria tenella sporulation. Int J Parasitol 2009; 40:453-62. [PMID: 19837073 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2009] [Revised: 09/01/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In Eimeria tenella, meiotic division occurs exclusively in oocysts within the first 8h of sporulation. Difficulties with the wall-oocyst breakage in gaining access to chromosomes during meiosis have resulted in a scarcity of morphological data on Eimeria chromosomes. This study tracks the general behaviour of telomeres, attachment plaques and synaptonemal complexes in the nucleus of the meiotic oocyst of E. tenella. Fluorescence microscopy methods, in combination with immunoelectron microscopy techniques, were applied to obtain a series of time-lapse images during oocyst sporulation. Antibodies to Structural Maintenance of Chromosome proteins SMC1 and SMC3, and lamin were labelled with either fluorescence or colloidal gold to visualise the telomeres, central elements of the synaptonemal complex (SC) and nuclear periphery, respectively, at both the structural and ultrastructural levels. Using oocyst spreads and ultrathin sections of fixed oocysts it was possible to study telomere dynamics at stages during meiosis. The stages of the meiotic prophase I are delineated on the basis of the telomere position and the SC synapsis and desynapsis. During the leptotene stage, at 4h following the start of sporulation, meiotic chromosomes attached to the nuclear envelope. At that stage, chromosome synapsis was initiated in the telomeric regions but no interstitial synapsis pairing was observed. In the zygotene stage, telomere signals were clustered in a limited area of the nuclear envelope. Bouquet formation occurred at 5h after the start of sporulation, whereas chromosomes did not appear completely synapsed until the pachytene stage at 6h of sporulation. Desynapsis was observed at 8h of sporulation during the diplotene stage. This study provides the first morphological description of both the behaviour of the chromosomes and the timing of the prophase I stages in the meiotic nucleus of E. tenella.
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58
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Suggestive evidence for Darwinian Selection against asparagine-linked glycans of Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2009; 9:228-41. [PMID: 19783771 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00197-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We are interested in asparagine-linked glycans (N-glycans) of Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii, because their N-glycan structures have been controversial and because we hypothesize that there might be selection against N-glycans in nucleus-encoded proteins that must pass through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) prior to threading into the apicoplast. In support of our hypothesis, we observed the following. First, in protists with apicoplasts, there is extensive secondary loss of Alg enzymes that make lipid-linked precursors to N-glycans. Theileria makes no N-glycans, and Plasmodium makes a severely truncated N-glycan precursor composed of one or two GlcNAc residues. Second, secreted proteins of Toxoplasma, which uses its own 10-sugar precursor (Glc(3)Man(5)GlcNAc(2)) and the host 14-sugar precursor (Glc(3)Man(9)GlcNAc(2)) to make N-glycans, have very few sites for N glycosylation, and there is additional selection against N-glycan sites in its apicoplast-targeted proteins. Third, while the GlcNAc-binding Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II labels ER, rhoptries, and surface of plasmodia, there is no apicoplast labeling. Similarly, the antiretroviral lectin cyanovirin-N, which binds to N-glycans of Toxoplasma, labels ER and rhoptries, but there is no apicoplast labeling. We conclude that possible selection against N-glycans in protists with apicoplasts occurs by eliminating N-glycans (Theileria), reducing their length (Plasmodium), or reducing the number of N-glycan sites (Toxoplasma). In addition, occupation of N-glycan sites is markedly reduced in apicoplast proteins versus some secretory proteins in both Plasmodium and Toxoplasma.
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59
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Fetterer RH, Miska KB, Jenkins MC, Barfield RC, Lillehoj H. Identification and characterization of a serpin from Eimeria acervulina. J Parasitol 2009; 94:1269-74. [PMID: 18576851 DOI: 10.1645/ge-1559.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2007] [Accepted: 04/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Serpins are serine protease inhibitors that are widely distributed in metazoans but have not been previously characterized in Eimeria spp. A serpin from Eimeria acervulina was cloned, expressed and characterized. Random screening of an E.acervulina sporozoite cDNA library identified a single clone (D14) whose coding region shared high similarity to consensus structure of serpins. Clone D14 contained an entire open reading frame (ORF) consisting of 1,245 nts that encode a peptide 413 amino acids in length with a predicted molecular weight of 45.5 kDa and containing a signal peptide 28 residues in length. By Western blot analysis, polyclonal antiserum to the recombinant serpin (rbSp) recognized a major 55 kDa protein band in unsporulated oocysts and in oocysts sporulated up to 24 hr (fully sporulated). The anti-rbSp detected bands of 55 kDa and 48 kDa in sporozoites (SZ) and merozoites (MZ) respectively. Analysis of MZ secretion products revealed a single protein of 48 kDa which may correspond to secreted serpin. By immuno-staining the serpin was located in granules distributed throughout both the SZ and MZ but granules appeared to be concentrated in the parasite's anterior. Analysis of the structure predicts that the E. acervulina serpin should be an active inhibitor. However, rbSp was without inhibitory activity against common serine proteases. By Western blot analysis the endogenous serpin in MZ extracts did not form the expected high molecular weight complex when coincubated with either trypsin or subtilisin. The results demonstrate that E. acervulina contains a serpin gene and expresses a protein with structural properties similar to an active serine protease inhibitor. Although the function of the E. acervulina serpin remains unknown the results further suggest that serpin is secreted by the parasite where it may be involved in cell invasion and other basic developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Fetterer
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland, USA.
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60
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Peek H, van der Klis J, Vermeulen B, Landman W. Dietary protease can alleviate negative effects of a coccidiosis infection on production performance in broiler chickens. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2008.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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61
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Kirkpatrick NC, Blacker HP, Woods WG, Gasser RB, Noormohammadi AH. A polymerase chain reaction-coupled high-resolution melting curve analytical approach for the monitoring of monospecificity of avianEimeriaspecies. Avian Pathol 2009; 38:13-9. [DOI: 10.1080/03079450802596053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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62
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Beck HP, Blake D, Dardé ML, Felger I, Pedraza-Díaz S, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Gómez-Bautista M, Ortega-Mora LM, Putignani L, Shiels B, Tait A, Weir W. Molecular approaches to diversity of populations of apicomplexan parasites. Int J Parasitol 2009; 39:175-89. [PMID: 18983997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2008] [Revised: 10/14/2008] [Accepted: 10/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Beck
- Swiss Tropical Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH 4002 Basel, Switzerland.
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63
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Clark JD, Billington K, Bumstead JM, Oakes RD, Soon PE, Sopp P, Tomley FM, Blake DP. A toolbox facilitating stable transfection of Eimeria species. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2008; 162:77-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2008.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2008] [Revised: 07/17/2008] [Accepted: 07/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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64
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Reporter gene expression in cell culture stages and oocysts of Eimeria nieschulzi (Coccidia, Apicomplexa). Parasitol Res 2008; 104:303-10. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1192-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2008] [Accepted: 08/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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65
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Anwar MI, Akhtar M, Hussain I, Haq AU, Muhammad F, Hafeez MA, Mahmood MS, Bashir S. Field evaluation of Eimeria tenella (local isolates) gametocytes vaccine and its comparative efficacy with imported live vaccine, LivaCox®. Parasitol Res 2008; 104:135-43. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1171-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2008] [Accepted: 08/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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66
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Construction and application of an avian intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte cDNA microarray (AVIELA) for gene expression profiling during Eimeria maxima infection. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2008; 124:341-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2008.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2007] [Revised: 04/14/2008] [Accepted: 04/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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67
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Shi TY, Liu XY, Hao LL, Li JD, Gh AN, Abdille MH, Suo‡ X. Transfected Eimeria tenella Could Complete Its Endogenous Development In Vitro. J Parasitol 2008; 94:978-80. [DOI: 10.1645/ge-1412.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2007] [Accepted: 11/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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68
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Genetic characterization of three unique operational taxonomic units of Eimeria from chickens in Australia based on nuclear spacer ribosomal DNA. Vet Parasitol 2008; 152:226-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2007] [Revised: 12/12/2007] [Accepted: 12/18/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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69
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Chen T, Zhang W, Wang J, Dong H, Wang M. Eimeria tenella: analysis of differentially expressed genes in the monensin- and maduramicin-resistant lines using cDNA array. Exp Parasitol 2008; 119:264-71. [PMID: 18395203 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2007] [Revised: 01/28/2008] [Accepted: 02/26/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance in coccidial populations has been a major problem to the prophylactic chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of the resistance are still poorly understood. In this report, cDNA array was designed based on the cDNA library for analysis of gene expression profile of the drug-resistant lines and their sensitive parental lines of Eimeria tenella. Two thousand eight hundred and six ESTs (expressed sequence tags) were obtained from 9600 clones which were randomly derived from the cDNA library with the 3' end sequencing. A total of 1424 TUTs (tentative unique transcripts) were determined from the database of our ESTs by bioinformatics analysis, from which a cDNA array was developed. The comparison of monensin-resistant line (MonR) and maduramicin-resistant line (MadR) with their sensitive parental lines was undertaken independently. It was observed that the number of the up-regulated genes was 5.58-fold more than that of the down-regulated genes in MonR when compared with its parental line. The up-regulated genes were mainly involved in cytoskeletal rearrangements and energy metabolism. In MadR, the number of the down-regulated genes was 3.07-fold more than the up-regulated genes, which were mainly related to invasion and cytoskeletal genes. However, in MadR the level of the glycometabolism-related and potential transporter genes were reduced. Our data suggest that the mechanisms of monensin and maduramicin resistance of E. tenella might be a very complex process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Chen
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuan Ming Yuan Xi Road, Hai-dian District, Beijing 100094, PR China
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70
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Ling KH, Rajandream MA, Rivailler P, Ivens A, Yap SJ, Madeira AM, Mungall K, Billington K, Yee WY, Bankier AT, Carroll F, Durham AM, Peters N, Loo SS, Mat Isa MN, Novaes J, Quail M, Rosli R, Nor Shamsudin M, Sobreira TJ, Tivey AR, Wai SF, White S, Wu X, Kerhornou A, Blake D, Mohamed R, Shirley M, Gruber A, Berriman M, Tomley F, Dear PH, Wan KL. Sequencing and analysis of chromosome 1 of Eimeria tenella reveals a unique segmental organization. Genome Res 2007; 17:311-9. [PMID: 17284678 PMCID: PMC1800922 DOI: 10.1101/gr.5823007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Eimeria tenella is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects the intestinal tracts of domestic fowl and causes coccidiosis, a serious and sometimes lethal enteritis. Eimeria falls in the same phylum (Apicomplexa) as several human and animal parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, and the malaria parasite, Plasmodium. Here we report the sequencing and analysis of the first chromosome of E. tenella, a chromosome believed to carry loci associated with drug resistance and known to differ between virulent and attenuated strains of the parasite. The chromosome--which appears to be representative of the genome--is gene-dense and rich in simple-sequence repeats, many of which appear to give rise to repetitive amino acid tracts in the predicted proteins. Most striking is the segmentation of the chromosome into repeat-rich regions peppered with transposon-like elements and telomere-like repeats, alternating with repeat-free regions. Predicted genes differ in character between the two types of segment, and the repeat-rich regions appear to be associated with strain-to-strain variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- King-Hwa Ling
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Marie-Adele Rajandream
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Rivailler
- Division of Microbiology, Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
| | - Alasdair Ivens
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Soon-Joo Yap
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Alda M.B.N. Madeira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Karen Mungall
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Billington
- Division of Microbiology, Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
| | - Wai-Yan Yee
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Alan T. Bankier
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, United Kingdom
| | - Fionnadh Carroll
- Division of Microbiology, Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
| | - Alan M. Durham
- Departamento de Ciências da Computação, Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Nicholas Peters
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Shu-San Loo
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Noor Mat Isa
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Jeniffer Novaes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Michael Quail
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Rozita Rosli
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Mariana Nor Shamsudin
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Tiago J.P. Sobreira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Adrian R. Tivey
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Siew-Fun Wai
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Sarah White
- Division of Microbiology, Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
| | - Xikun Wu
- Division of Microbiology, Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
| | - Arnaud Kerhornou
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Damer Blake
- Division of Microbiology, Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
| | - Rahmah Mohamed
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Martin Shirley
- Division of Microbiology, Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
| | - Arthur Gruber
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Matthew Berriman
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Tomley
- Division of Microbiology, Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, United Kingdom
| | - Paul H. Dear
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author.E-mail ; fax 44-1-223-412-178
| | - Kiew-Lian Wan
- Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- Corresponding author.E-mail ; fax 44-1-223-412-178
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71
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Dalloul RA, Bliss TW, Hong YH, Ben-Chouikha I, Park DW, Keeler CL, Lillehoj HS. Unique responses of the avian macrophage to different species of Eimeria. Mol Immunol 2007; 44:558-66. [PMID: 16563507 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2006.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2006] [Revised: 02/07/2006] [Accepted: 02/09/2006] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is recognized as the major parasitic disease of poultry and is caused by the apicomplexan protozoa Eimeria. Increasing evidence shows the complexity of the host immune response to Eimeria and microarray technology presents a powerful tool for the study of such an intricate biological process. Using an avian macrophage microarray containing 4906 unique gene elements, we identified important host genes whose expression changed following infection of macrophages with sporozoites of Eimeria tenella (ET), Eimeria acervulina (EA), and Eimeria maxima (EM). This approach enabled us to identify a common core of 25 genetic elements whose transcriptional expression is induced or repressed by exposure to Eimeria sporozoites and to identify additional transcription patterns unique to each individual Eimeria species. Besides inducing the expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-18 and repressing the expression of IL-16, Eimeria treated macrophages were commonly found to induce the expression of the CCL chemokine family members macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta (CCLi1), K203 (CCLi3), and ah221 (CCLi7). However, the CXCL chemokine K60 (CXCLi1) was found to be induced by macrophage exposure to E. tenella but was repressed upon macrophage exposure to E. maxima and E. acervulina. Fundamental analysis of avian chemokine and cytokine expression patterns offers insight into the unique avian immunological responses to these related but biologically unique pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami A Dalloul
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bldg. 1040, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
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72
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Morris GM, Gasser RB. Biotechnological advances in the diagnosis of avian coccidiosis and the analysis of genetic variation in Eimeria. Biotechnol Adv 2006; 24:590-603. [PMID: 16901674 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2006.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2005] [Revised: 06/18/2006] [Accepted: 06/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease of chickens caused by various species of protozoan parasites within the genus Eimeria. This disease has a major economic impact to growers and to the poultry industry world-wide. The diagnosis and genetic characterization of the different species of Eimeria are central to the prevention, surveillance and control of coccidiosis, particularly now given the major problems with wide-spread resistance of Eimeria species against anticoccidial drugs (coccidiostats) and the residue problems associated with these compounds. While traditional methods have had major limitations in the specific diagnosis of coccidiosis, there have been significant advances in the development of molecular-diagnostic tools. The present article provides a background on coccidiosis, reviews the main molecular methods which have been used and describes recent advances in the establishment of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-coupled electrophoretic approaches for the specific diagnosis of coccidiosis as well as the genetic characterization of species of Eimeria. These biotechnological advances are considered to represent a significant step toward the improved prevention and control of this important disease of poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Morris
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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73
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Péroval M, Péry P, Labbé M. The heat shock protein 90 of Eimeria tenella is essential for invasion of host cell and schizont growth. Int J Parasitol 2006; 36:1205-15. [PMID: 16753167 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2006.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2006] [Revised: 04/06/2006] [Accepted: 04/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The 90-kDa heat shock proteins (Hsp90) are important for stress tolerance, for newly synthesised protein folding and for the growth of various organisms. Participation of Hsp90 in the development of Apicomplexa, notably in Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii, has been proven. In this work, the importance of Hsp90 for Eimeria tenella, which is responsible for avian caecal coccidiosis, was studied. Our results show that E. tenella Hsp90 (EtHsp90) expression increases during infection. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies reveal a dispersed localisation of EtHsp90 during the first schizogony. Moreover, EtHsp90 is secreted by sporozoites as early as 5min after addition of FCS in a temperature-dependent manner. By using staurosporine, we invalidated the hypothesis that EtHsp90 might be a micronemal protein. Then, EtHsp90 was detected in a parasitophorous vacuole membrane. This result suggests the importance of EtHsp90 for intracellular growth of the parasite. Inhibition of EtHsp90 function using specific antibodies and geldanamicin attenuates the capacity of E. tenella to invade and grow in the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marylène Péroval
- Département de Biologie, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 78035 Versailles, France
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74
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Abstract
The Eimeria species, causative agents of the disease coccidiosis, are genetically complex protozoan parasites endemic in livestock. Drug resistance remains commonplace among the Eimeria, and alternatives to chemotherapeutic control are being sought. Vaccines based upon live formulations of parasites are effective, but production costs are high, stimulating demand for a recombinant subunit vaccine. The identity of antigens suitable for inclusion in such vaccines remains elusive. Selection of immunoprotective antigens of the Eimeria species as vaccine candidates based upon recognition by the host immune system has been unsuccessful, obscured by the considerable number of molecules that are immunogenic but not immunoprotective. This is a common problem which characterizes work with most eukaryotic parasites. The identification of a selective criterion to directly access genetic loci that encode immunoprotective antigens of Eimeria maxima using a mapping strategy based upon parasite genetics, immune selection and DNA fingerprinting promises to revolutionize the process of antigen discovery. Linkage analyses of DNA markers amplified from populations of recombinant parasites defined by an ability to escape parent-specific deleterious selection by strain-specific immunity and chemotherapy has revealed four discrete regions within the E. maxima genome linked to escape from a protective immune response. These regions now form the basis of detailed study to identify antigens as candidates for inclusion in future vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Blake
- Enteric Immunology Group, Institute for Animal Health, Compton, Nr. Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
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75
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Reproductive characteristics of a precocious vaccine line (Rt3+15) of Eimeria tenella in embryonating chicken eggs. Acta Parasitol 2006. [DOI: 10.2478/s11686-006-0024-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractCoccidiosis of chickens, caused by species of Eimeria (Protozoa, Apicomplexa), is an intestinal disease of major economic importance worldwide. In the present study, the reproductive characteristics of a precocious line (designated E. tenella Rt3+15) from Australia were investigated in chicken embryos and the implications of the findings briefly discussed.
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76
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Basso LA, da Silva LHP, Fett-Neto AG, de Azevedo WF, Moreira IDS, Palma MS, Calixto JB, Astolfi Filho S, dos Santos RR, Soares MBP, Santos DS. The use of biodiversity as source of new chemical entities against defined molecular targets for treatment of malaria, tuberculosis, and T-cell mediated diseases: a review. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2005; 100:475-506. [PMID: 16302058 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762005000600001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The modern approach to the development of new chemical entities against complex diseases, especially the neglected endemic diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, is based on the use of defined molecular targets. Among the advantages, this approach allows (i) the search and identification of lead compounds with defined molecular mechanisms against a defined target (e.g. enzymes from defined pathways), (ii) the analysis of a great number of compounds with a favorable cost/benefit ratio, (iii) the development even in the initial stages of compounds with selective toxicity (the fundamental principle of chemotherapy), (iv) the evaluation of plant extracts as well as of pure substances. The current use of such technology, unfortunately, is concentrated in developed countries, especially in the big pharma. This fact contributes in a significant way to hamper the development of innovative new compounds to treat neglected diseases. The large biodiversity within the territory of Brazil puts the country in a strategic position to develop the rational and sustained exploration of new metabolites of therapeutic value. The extension of the country covers a wide range of climates, soil types, and altitudes, providing a unique set of selective pressures for the adaptation of plant life in these scenarios. Chemical diversity is also driven by these forces, in an attempt to best fit the plant communities to the particular abiotic stresses, fauna, and microbes that co-exist with them. Certain areas of vegetation (Amazonian Forest, Atlantic Forest, Araucaria Forest, Cerrado-Brazilian Savanna, and Caatinga) are rich in species and types of environments to be used to search for natural compounds active against tuberculosis, malaria, and chronic-degenerative diseases. The present review describes some strategies to search for natural compounds, whose choice can be based on ethnobotanical and chemotaxonomical studies, and screen for their ability to bind to immobilized drug targets and to inhibit their activities. Molecular cloning, gene knockout, protein expression and purification, N-terminal sequencing, and mass spectrometry are the methods of choice to provide homogeneous drug targets for immobilization by optimized chemical reactions. Plant extract preparations, fractionation of promising plant extracts, propagation protocols and definition of in planta studies to maximize product yield of plant species producing active compounds have to be performed to provide a continuing supply of bioactive materials. Chemical characterization of natural compounds, determination of mode of action by kinetics and other spectroscopic methods (MS, X-ray, NMR), as well as in vitro and in vivo biological assays, chemical derivatization, and structure-activity relationships have to be carried out to provide a thorough knowledge on which to base the search for natural compounds or their derivatives with biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Augusto Basso
- Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brasil.
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77
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Shirley MW, Blake D, White SE, Sheriff R, Smith AL. Integrating genetics and genomics to identify new leads for the control ofEimeriaspp. Parasitology 2005; 128 Suppl 1:S33-42. [PMID: 16454897 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004006845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Eimerian parasites display a biologically interesting range of phenotypic variation. In addition to a wide spectrum of drug-resistance phenotypes that are expressed similarly by many other parasites, theEimeriaspp. present some unique phenotypes. For example, unique lines ofEimeriaspp. include those selected for growth in the chorioallantoic membrane of the embryonating hens egg or for faster growth (precocious development) in the mature host. The many laboratory-derived egg-adapted or precocious lines also share a phenotype of a marked attenuation of virulence, the basis of which is different as a consequence of thein ovoorin vivoselection procedures used. Of current interest is the fact that some wild-type populations ofEimeria maximaare characterized by an ability to induce protective immunity that is strain-specific. The molecular basis of phenotypes that defineEimeriaspp. is now increasingly amenable to investigation, both through technical improvements in genetic linkage studies and the availability of a comprehensive genome sequence for the caecal parasiteE. tenella. The most exciting phenotype in the context of vaccination and the development of new vaccines is the trait of strain-specific immunity associated withE. maxima. Recent work in this laboratory has shown that infection of two inbred lines of White Leghorn chickens with the W strain ofE. maximaleads to complete protection to challenge with the homologous parasite, but to complete escape of the heterologous H strain, i.e. the W strain induces an exquisitely strain-specific protective immune response with respect to the H strain. This dichotomy of survival in the face of immune-mediated killing has been examined further and, notably, mating between a drug-resistant W strain and a drug-sensitive H strain leads to recombination between the genetic loci responsible for the specificity of protective immunity and resistance to the anticoccidial drug robenidine. Such a finding opens the way forward for genetic mapping of the loci responsible for the induction of protective immunity and integration with the genome sequencing efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- M W Shirley
- Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Nr Newbury, Berks, UK.
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78
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Dalloul RA, Lillehoj HS. Recent advances in immunomodulation and vaccination strategies against coccidiosis. Avian Dis 2005; 49:1-8. [PMID: 15839405 DOI: 10.1637/7306-11150r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is a ubiquitous intestinal protozoan infection of poultry seriously impairing the growth and feed utilization of infected animals. Conventional disease control strategies rely heavily on chemoprophylaxis, which is a tremendous cost to the industry. Existing vaccines consist of live virulent or attenuated Eimeria strains with limited scope of protection against an ever-evolving and widespread pathogen. The continual emergence of drug-resistant strains of Eimeria, coupled with the increasing regulations and bans on the use of anticoccidial drugs in commercial poultry production, urges the need for novel approaches and alternative control strategies. Because of the complexity of the host immunity and the parasite life cycle, a comprehensive understanding of host-parasite interactions and protective immune mechanisms becomes necessary for successful prevention and control practices. Recent progress in functional genomics technology would facilitate the identification and characterization of host genes involved in immune responses as well as parasite genes and proteins that elicit protective host responses. This study reviews recent coccidiosis research and provides information on host immunity, immunomodulation, and the latest advances in live and recombinant vaccine development against coccidiosis. Such information will help magnify our understanding of host-parasite biology and mucosal immunology, and we hope it will lead to comprehensive designs of nutritional interventions and vaccination strategies for coccidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami A Dalloul
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, USDA-ARS, BARC-East, Building 1040, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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79
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Durham AM, Kashiwabara AY, Matsunaga FTG, Ahagon PH, Rainone F, Varuzza L, Gruber A. EGene: a configurable pipeline generation system for automated sequence analysis. Bioinformatics 2005; 21:2812-3. [PMID: 15814554 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bti424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED EGene is a generic, flexible and modular pipeline generation system that makes pipeline construction a modular job. EGene allows for third-party programs to be used and integrated according to the needs of distinct projects and without any previous programming or formal language experience being required. EGene comes with CoEd, a visual tool to facilitate pipeline construction and documentation. A series of components to build pipelines for sequence processing is provided. AVAILABILITY http://www.lbm.fmvz.usp.br/egene/ CONTACT alan@ime.usp.br; argruber@usp.br SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION http://www.lbm.fmvz.usp.br/egene/
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan M Durham
- Depto. de Ciências da Computação, Instituto de Matemática e Estatística São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil.
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80
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Worthey EA, Myler PJ. Protozoan genomes: gene identification and annotation. Int J Parasitol 2005; 35:495-512. [PMID: 15826642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2005.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2004] [Revised: 01/25/2005] [Accepted: 02/06/2005] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The draft sequence of several complete protozoan genomes is now available and genome projects are ongoing for a number of other species. Different strategies are being implemented to identify and annotate protein coding and RNA genes in these genomes, as well as study their genomic architecture. Since the genomes vary greatly in size, GC-content, nucleotide composition, and degree of repetitiveness, genome structure is often a factor in choosing the methodology utilised for annotation. In addition, the approach taken is dictated, to a greater or lesser extent, by the particular reasons for carrying out genome-wide analyses and the level of funding available for projects. Nevertheless, these projects have provided a plethora of material that will aid in understanding the biology and evolution of these parasites, as well as identifying new targets that can be used to design urgently required drug treatments for the diseases they cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Worthey
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109-2591, USA
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81
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Pinney JW, Shirley MW, McConkey GA, Westhead DR. metaSHARK: software for automated metabolic network prediction from DNA sequence and its application to the genomes of Plasmodium falciparum and Eimeria tenella. Nucleic Acids Res 2005; 33:1399-409. [PMID: 15745999 PMCID: PMC552966 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gki285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabolic SearcH And Reconstruction Kit (metaSHARK) is a new fully automated software package for the detection of enzyme-encoding genes within unannotated genome data and their visualization in the context of the surrounding metabolic network. The gene detection package (SHARKhunt) runs on a Linux system and requires only a set of raw DNA sequences (genomic, expressed sequence tag and/or genome survey sequence) as input. Its output may be uploaded to our web-based visualization tool (SHARKview) for exploring and comparing data from different organisms. We first demonstrate the utility of the software by comparing its results for the raw Plasmodium falciparum genome with the manual annotations available at the PlasmoDB and PlasmoCyc websites. We then apply SHARKhunt to the unannotated genome sequences of the coccidian parasite Eimeria tenella and observe that, at an E-value cut-off of 10(-20), our software makes 142 additional assertions of enzymatic function compared with a recent annotation package working with translated open reading frame sequences. The ability of the software to cope with low levels of sequence coverage is investigated by analyzing assemblies of the E.tenella genome at estimated coverages from 0.5x to 7.5x. Lastly, as an example of how metaSHARK can be used to evaluate the genomic evidence for specific metabolic pathways, we present a study of coenzyme A biosynthesis in P.falciparum and E.tenella.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Pinney
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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82
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Belli SI, Walker RA, Flowers SA. Global protein expression analysis in apicomplexan parasites: Current status. Proteomics 2005; 5:918-24. [PMID: 15759314 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200401161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Members of the phylum Apicomplexa are important protozoan parasites that cause some of the most serious, and in some cases, deadly diseases in humans and animals. They include species from the genus Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Eimeria, Neospora, Cryptosporidium, Babesia and Theileria. The medical, veterinary and economic impact of these pathogens on a global scale is enormous. Although chemo- and immuno-prophylactic strategies are available to control some of these parasites, they are inadequate. Currently, there is an urgent need to design new vaccines or chemotherapeutics for apicomplexan diseases. High-throughput global protein expression analyses using gel or non-gel based protein separation technologies coupled with mass spectrometry and bioinformatics provide a means to identify new drug and vaccine targets in these pathogens. Protein identification based proteomic projects in apicomplexan parasites is currently underway, with the most significant progress made in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. More recently, preliminary two-dimensional gel electrophoresis maps of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum tachyzoites and Eimeria tenella sporozoites, have been produced, as well as for micronemes in E. tenella. In this review, the status of proteomics in the analysis of global protein expression in apicomplexan parasites will be compared and the challenges associated with these investigations discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina I Belli
- Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
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83
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Shirley MW, Smith AL, Tomley FM. The Biology of Avian Eimeria with an Emphasis on their Control by Vaccination. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2005; 60:285-330. [PMID: 16230106 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-308x(05)60005-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Studies on the biology of the avian species of Eimeria are currently benefiting from the availability of a comprehensive sequence for the nuclear genome of Eimeria tenella. Allied to some recent advances in transgenic technologies and genetic approaches to identify protective antigens, some elements are now being assembled that should be helpful for the development of a new generation of vaccines. In the meantime, control of avian coccidiosis by vaccination represents a major success in the fight against infections caused by parasitic protozoa. Live vaccines that comprise defined populations of oocysts are used routinely and this form of vaccination is based upon the long-established fact that chickens infected with coccidial parasites rapidly develop protective immunity against challenge infections with the same species. Populations of wild-type Eimeria parasites were the basis of the first live vaccines introduced around 50 years ago and the more recent introduction of safer, live-attenuated, vaccines has had a significant impact on coccidiosis control in many areas of the world. In Europe the introduction of vaccination has coincided with declining drug efficacy (on account of drug resistance) and increasing concerns by consumers about the inclusion of in-feed medication and prospects for drug residues in meat. The use of attenuated vaccines throughout the world has also stimulated a greater interest in the vaccines that comprise wild-type parasites and, during the past 3 years worldwide, around 3x10(9) doses of each type of vaccine have been used. The need for only small numbers of live parasites to induce effective protective immunity and the recognition that Eimeria spp. are generally very potent immunogens has stimulated efforts to develop other types of vaccines. None has succeeded except for the licensing, within several countries in 2002, of a vaccine (CoxAbic vaccine; Abic, Israel) that protects via the maternal transfer of immunoglobulin to the young chick. Building on the success of viral vaccines that are delivered via the embryonating egg, an in ovo coccidiosis vaccine (Inovocox, Embrex Inc.) is currently in development. Following successful field trials in 2001, the product will be ready for Food and Drug Administration approval in 2005 and a manufacturing plant will begin production for sale in late 2005. Limited progress has been achieved towards the development of subunit or recombinant vaccines. No products are available and studies to identify potential antigens remain compromised by an absence of effective in vitro assays that correlate with the induction of protective immunity in the host. To date, only a relatively small portfolio of molecules has been evaluated for an ability to induce protection in vivo. Although Eimeria are effective immunogens, it is probable that to date none of the antigens that induce potent protective immune responses during the course of natural infection has been isolated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin W Shirley
- Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton Nr Newbury, Berks RG20 7NN, UK.
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