101
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Habib MR, Ghoname SI, Ali RE, El-Karim RMG, Youssef AA, Croll RP, Miller MW. Biochemical and apoptotic changes in the nervous and ovotestis tissues of Biomphalaria alexandrina following infection with Schistosoma mansoni. Exp Parasitol 2020; 213:107887. [PMID: 32224062 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Infection with trematodes produces physiological and behavioural changes in intermediate snail hosts. One response to infection is parasitic castration, in which energy required for reproduction of the host is thought to be redirected to promote development and multiplication of the parasite. This study investigated some reproductive and biochemical parameters in the nervous (CNS) and ovotestis (OT) tissues of Biomphalaria alexandrina during the course of Schistosoma mansoni infection. Antioxidant and oxidative stress parameters including catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were measured. Levels of steroid hormones, including testosterone, progesterone and estradiol, were also assessed. Finally, flow cytometry was used to compare measures of apoptosis between control snails and those shedding cercariae by examining mitochondrial membrane potential with the stain 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimi-dazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Infection with S. mansoni caused a 47.7% reduction in the net reproductive rate (Ro) of B. alexandrina. CAT activity was increased in the CNS at 21 days post infection (dpi) but by 28 dpi it was reduced below control values. Also, CAT activity increased significantly in the OT at 14, 21 and 28 dpi. In CNS tissues, NO levels were reduced at 7 dpi, increased at 14 and 21 dpi, and reduced again at 28 dpi. The overall level of lipid peroxidation gradually increased during the course of infection to reach its highest levels at 28 dpi. Steroid hormone measurements showed that concentrations of testosterone and estradiol were reduced in the CNS tissues at 28 dpi, while those of progesterone were slightly increased in the CNS and OT tissues. The percentage of cells that positively stained with JC-1was significantly increased in CNS and OT tissues of infected snails while the percentage of cells positively stained with PARP was decreased compared to controls. Together, these findings indicate that infection initiates diverse biochemical and hormonal changes leading to loss of cells responsible for egg laying and reproduction in B. alexandrina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed R Habib
- Medical Malacology Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza 12411, Egypt.
| | - Samah I Ghoname
- Medical Malacology Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza 12411, Egypt
| | - Rasha E Ali
- Medical Malacology Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza 12411, Egypt
| | - Rasha M Gad El-Karim
- Medical Malacology Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza 12411, Egypt
| | - Alaa A Youssef
- Medical Malacology Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza 12411, Egypt
| | - Roger P Croll
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mark W Miller
- Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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102
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Lu L, Loker ES, Zhang SM, Buddenborg SK, Bu L. Genome-wide discovery, and computational and transcriptional characterization of an AIG gene family in the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, a vector for Schistosoma mansoni. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:190. [PMID: 32122294 PMCID: PMC7053062 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6534-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The AIG (avrRpt2-induced gene) family of GTPases, characterized by the presence of a distinctive AIG1 domain, is mysterious in having a peculiar phylogenetic distribution, a predilection for undergoing expansion and loss, and an uncertain functional role, especially in invertebrates. AIGs are frequently represented as GIMAPs (GTPase of the immunity associated protein family), characterized by presence of the AIG1 domain along with coiled-coil domains. Here we provide an overview of the remarkably expanded AIG repertoire of the freshwater gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata, compare it with AIGs in other organisms, and detail patterns of expression in B. glabrata susceptible or resistant to infection with Schistosoma mansoni, responsible for the neglected tropical disease of intestinal schistosomiasis. RESULTS We define the 7 conserved motifs that comprise the AIG1 domain in B. glabrata and detail its association with at least 7 other domains, indicative of functional versatility of B. glabrata AIGs. AIG genes were usually found in tandem arrays in the B. glabrata genome, suggestive of an origin by segmental gene duplication. We found 91 genes with complete AIG1 domains, including 64 GIMAPs and 27 AIG genes without coiled-coils, more than known for any other organism except Danio (with > 100). We defined expression patterns of AIG genes in 12 different B. glabrata organs and characterized whole-body AIG responses to microbial PAMPs, and of schistosome-resistant or -susceptible strains of B. glabrata to S. mansoni exposure. Biomphalaria glabrata AIG genes clustered with expansions of AIG genes from other heterobranch gastropods yet showed unique lineage-specific subclusters. Other gastropods and bivalves had separate but also diverse expansions of AIG genes, whereas cephalopods seem to lack AIG genes. CONCLUSIONS The AIG genes of B. glabrata exhibit expansion in both numbers and potential functions, differ markedly in expression between strains varying in susceptibility to schistosomes, and are responsive to immune challenge. These features provide strong impetus to further explore the functional role of AIG genes in the defense responses of B. glabrata, including to suppress or support the development of medically relevant S. mansoni parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Sarah K. Buddenborg
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA UK
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
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103
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Castillo MG, Humphries JE, Mourão MM, Marquez J, Gonzalez A, Montelongo CE. Biomphalaria glabrata immunity: Post-genome advances. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 104:103557. [PMID: 31759924 PMCID: PMC8995041 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, is an important intermediate host in the life cycle for the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, the causative agent of schistosomiasis. Current treatment and prevention strategies have not led to a significant decrease in disease transmission. However, the genome of B. glabrata was recently sequenced to provide additional resources to further our understanding of snail biology. This review presents an overview of recently published, post-genome studies related to the topic of snail immunity. Many of these reports expand on findings originated from the genome characterization. These novel studies include a complementary gene linkage map, analysis of the genome of the B. glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line, as well as transcriptomic and proteomic studies looking at snail-parasite interactions and innate immune memory responses towards schistosomes. Also included are biochemical investigations on snail pheromones, neuropeptides, and attractants, as well as studies investigating the frontiers of molluscan epigenetics and cell signaling were also included. Findings support the current hypotheses on snail-parasite strain compatibility, and that snail host resistance to schistosome infection is dependent not only on genetics and expression, but on the ability to form multimeric molecular complexes in a timely and tissue-specific manner. The relevance of cell immunity is reinforced, while the importance of humoral factors, especially for secondary infections, is supported. Overall, these studies reflect an improved understanding on the diversity, specificity, and complexity of molluscan immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Castillo
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA.
| | | | - Marina M Mourão
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Brazil
| | - Joshua Marquez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Adrian Gonzalez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Cesar E Montelongo
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
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104
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Essam D, Ahmed M, Abouelmagd A, Soliman F. Monitoring temporal variations in groundwater levels in urban areas using ground penetrating radar. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 703:134986. [PMID: 31760366 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring temporal variations in groundwater levels provides a key to sustainable freshwater resource utilization and management, sustainable land use, and sustainable crop acreage, yield, and production. This study used ground penetrating radar (GPR) to monitor temporal variations in groundwater levels in urban areas, and to define the factors that control these variations. The city of Ismailia, Egypt, was selected as a test site because it is experiencing a rise in groundwater levels that poses potential environmental risks, and it lacks the groundwater wells necessary for monitoring and mitigation. Three main GPR profiles were collected in summer (July 2017) and winter (March 2018) using a 100-MHz antenna. On the collected GPR data, water table was defined as a continuous linear reflector of high amplitude. The water table appeared at 8.6 m and 9.5 m (below ground surface) in the summer and the winter surveys, respectively. The depths to the water table, as extracted from GPR surveys, are identical to those measured at a nearby water supply. The higher depth to the water table in the winter is related to excessive groundwater extraction and/or exceptional drought conditions and associated baseflow recession. Results highlight the importance of using GPR in urban areas as a unique, significant, practical, comprehensive, and cost-effective tool to image the subsurface and map the temporal variations in depth to the water table.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Essam
- Department of Geology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Ahmed
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA; Department of Geology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.
| | - Abdou Abouelmagd
- Department of Geology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Farouk Soliman
- Department of Geology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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105
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Sun J, Mu H, Ip JCH, Li R, Xu T, Accorsi A, Sánchez Alvarado A, Ross E, Lan Y, Sun Y, Castro-Vazquez A, Vega IA, Heras H, Ituarte S, Van Bocxlaer B, Hayes KA, Cowie RH, Zhao Z, Zhang Y, Qian PY, Qiu JW. Signatures of Divergence, Invasiveness, and Terrestrialization Revealed by Four Apple Snail Genomes. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 36:1507-1520. [PMID: 30980073 PMCID: PMC6573481 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The family Ampullariidae includes both aquatic and amphibious apple snails. They are an emerging model for evolutionary studies due to the high diversity, ancient history, and wide geographical distribution. Insight into drivers of ampullariid evolution is hampered, however, by the lack of genomic resources. Here, we report the genomes of four ampullariids spanning the Old World (Lanistes nyassanus) and New World (Pomacea canaliculata, P. maculata, and Marisa cornuarietis) clades. The ampullariid genomes have conserved ancient bilaterial karyotype features and a novel Hox gene cluster rearrangement, making them valuable in comparative genomic studies. They have expanded gene families related to environmental sensing and cellulose digestion, which may have facilitated some ampullarids to become notorious invasive pests. In the amphibious Pomacea, novel acquisition of an egg neurotoxin and a protein for making the calcareous eggshell may have been key adaptations enabling their transition from underwater to terrestrial egg deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Sun
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huawei Mu
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jack C H Ip
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Runsheng Li
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alice Accorsi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas City, MO.,Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO
| | - Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas City, MO.,Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO
| | - Eric Ross
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas City, MO.,Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO
| | - Yi Lan
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yanan Sun
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alfredo Castro-Vazquez
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología (IHEM-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina.,Instituto de Fisiología (FCM-UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Israel A Vega
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología (IHEM-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina.,Instituto de Fisiología (FCM-UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Horacio Heras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner", INIBIOLP. CONICET CCT La Plata-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Santiago Ituarte
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner", INIBIOLP. CONICET CCT La Plata-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Bert Van Bocxlaer
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), UMR 8198 Evolution, Ecology, Paleotology, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - Robert H Cowie
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
| | - Zhongying Zhao
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pei-Yuan Qian
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jian-Wen Qiu
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
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106
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Abstract
Only with the completion of the life cycles of Fasciola hepatica in 1883 and 30 years later those of Schistosoma japonicum (1913), Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni (1915) did research on schistosomiasis really get underway. One of the first papers by Cawston in 1918, describing attempts to establish the means of transmission of S. haematobium in Natal, South Africa, forms the historical perspective against which to judge where we are now. Molecular biology techniques have produced a much better definition of the complexity of the schistosome species and their snail hosts, but also revealed the extent of hybridization between human and animal schistosomes that may impact on parasite adaptability. While diagnostics have greatly improved, the ability to detect single worm pair infections routinely, still falls short of its goal. The introduction of praziquantel ~1982 has revolutionized the treatment of infected individuals and led directly to the mass drug administration programmes. In turn, the severe pathological consequences of high worm burdens have been minimized, and for S. haematobium infections the incidence of associated squamous cell carcinoma has been reduced. In comparison, the development of effective vaccines has yet to come to fruition. The elimination of schistosomiasis japonica from Japan shows what is possible, using multiple lines of approach, but the clear and present danger is that the whole edifice of schistosome control is balanced on the monotherapy of praziquantel, and the development of drug resistance could topple that.
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107
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Li H, Hambrook JR, Pila EA, Gharamah AA, Fang J, Wu X, Hanington P. Coordination of humoral immune factors dictates compatibility between Schistosoma mansoni and Biomphalaria glabrata. eLife 2020; 9:e51708. [PMID: 31916937 PMCID: PMC6970513 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune factors in snails of the genus Biomphalaria are critical for combating Schistosoma mansoni, the predominant cause of human intestinal schistosomiasis. Independently, many of these factors play an important role in, but do not fully define, the compatibility between the model snail B. glabrata, and S. mansoni. Here, we demonstrate association between four previously characterized humoral immune molecules; BgFREP3, BgTEP1, BgFREP2 and Biomphalysin. We also identify unique immune determinants in the plasma of S. mansoni-resistant B. glabrata that associate with the incompatible phenotype. These factors coordinate to initiate haemocyte-mediated destruction of S. mansoni sporocysts via production of reactive oxygen species. The inclusion of BgFREP2 in a BgFREP3-initiated complex that also includes BgTEP1 almost completely explains resistance to S. mansoni in this model. Our study unifies many independent lines of investigation to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the snail immune system in the context of infection by this important human parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Li
- Ocean CollegeBeibu Gulf UniversityQinzhouChina
- School of Public HealthUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonCanada
| | | | | | | | - Jing Fang
- Ocean CollegeBeibu Gulf UniversityQinzhouChina
- School of Public HealthUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonCanada
| | - Xinzhong Wu
- Ocean CollegeBeibu Gulf UniversityQinzhouChina
- College of Animal SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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108
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Lassalle D, Tetreau G, Pinaud S, Galinier R, Crickmore N, Gourbal B, Duval D. Glabralysins, Potential New β-Pore-Forming Toxin Family Members from the Schistosomiasis Vector Snail Biomphalaria glabrata. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11010065. [PMID: 31936048 PMCID: PMC7016736 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomphalaria glabrata is a freshwater Planorbidae snail. In its environment, this mollusk faces numerous microorganisms or pathogens, and has developed sophisticated innate immune mechanisms to survive. The mechanisms of recognition are quite well understood in Biomphalaria glabrata, but immune effectors have been seldom described. In this study, we analyzed a new family of potential immune effectors and characterized five new genes that were named Glabralysins. The five Glabralysin genes showed different genomic structures and the high degree of amino acid identity between the Glabralysins, and the presence of the conserved ETX/MTX2 domain, support the hypothesis that they are pore-forming toxins. In addition, tertiary structure prediction confirms that they are structurally related to a subset of Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis, including Cry23, Cry45, and Cry51. Finally, we investigated their gene expression profiles in snail tissues and demonstrated a mosaic transcription. We highlight the specificity in Glabralysin expression following immune stimulation with bacteria, yeast or trematode parasites. Interestingly, one Glabralysin was found to be expressed in immune-specialized hemocytes, and two others were induced following parasite exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Lassalle
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan France; (D.L.); (G.T.); (S.P.); (R.G.); (B.G.)
| | - Guillaume Tetreau
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan France; (D.L.); (G.T.); (S.P.); (R.G.); (B.G.)
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan France; (D.L.); (G.T.); (S.P.); (R.G.); (B.G.)
| | - Richard Galinier
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan France; (D.L.); (G.T.); (S.P.); (R.G.); (B.G.)
| | - Neil Crickmore
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK;
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan France; (D.L.); (G.T.); (S.P.); (R.G.); (B.G.)
| | - David Duval
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan France; (D.L.); (G.T.); (S.P.); (R.G.); (B.G.)
- Correspondence:
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109
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A New Assessment of Thioester-Containing Proteins Diversity of the Freshwater Snail Biomphalaria glabrata. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11010069. [PMID: 31936127 PMCID: PMC7016707 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thioester-containing proteins (TEPs) superfamily is known to play important innate immune functions in a wide range of animal phyla. TEPs are involved in recognition, and in the direct or mediated killing of several invading organisms or pathogens. While several TEPs have been identified in many invertebrates, only one TEP (named BgTEP) has been previously characterized in the freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata. As the presence of a single member of that family is particularly intriguing, transcriptomic data and the recently published genome were used to explore the presence of other BgTEP related genes in B. glabrata. Ten other TEP members have been reported and classified into different subfamilies: Three complement-like factors (BgC3-1 to BgC3-3), one α-2-macroblobulin (BgA2M), two macroglobulin complement-related proteins (BgMCR1, BgMCR2), one CD109 (BgCD109), and three insect TEP (BgTEP2 to BgTEP4) in addition to the previously characterized BgTEP that we renamed BgTEP1. This is the first report on such a level of TEP diversity and of the presence of macroglobulin complement-related proteins (MCR) in mollusks. Gene structure analysis revealed alternative splicing in the highly variable region of three members (BgA2M, BgCD109, and BgTEP2) with a particularly unexpected diversity for BgTEP2. Finally, different gene expression profiles tend to indicate specific functions for such novel family members.
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110
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Skála V, Walker AJ, Horák P. Snail defence responses to parasite infection: The Lymnaea stagnalis-Trichobilharzia szidati model. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 102:103464. [PMID: 31402190 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lymnaea stagnalis is a common freshwater gastropod. Importantly, the snail serves as the intermediate host for more than one hundred species of digenetic trematodes, including the avian schistosome Trichobilharzia szidati, a causative agent of cercarial dermatitis in humans. Infection of L. stagnalis by T. szidati initiates a dynamic confrontation between the host and the parasite that culminates in immunocompatibility ensuring survival and development of larvae. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms determining this immunocompatibility remain poorly characterised. By employing a variety of immune elicitors, including chemical compounds, PAMPs and bacteria, research in the last two decades has elucidated some of the molecular processes that regulate the snail internal defence response such as haemocyte signalling pathways. These discoveries provide a framework for future studies of molecular interactions between T. szidati and L. stagnalis to help elucidate factors and mechanisms enabling transmission of schistosome parasites. Moreover, support from recently available next generation sequence data and CRISPR-enabled functional genomics should further enable L. stagnalis as an important model for comparative immunology and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of immune functions in gastropod molluscs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimír Skála
- General University Hospital and the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Prague, Czech Republic; Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Anthony J Walker
- Kingston University, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Horák
- Charles University, Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Prague, Czech Republic
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111
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Hambrook JR, Gharamah AA, Pila EA, Hussein S, Hanington PC. Biomphalaria glabrata Granulin Increases Resistance to Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Several Biomphalaria Species and Induces the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by Haemocytes. Genes (Basel) 2019; 11:E38. [PMID: 31905675 PMCID: PMC7017051 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastropod molluscs, which have co-evolved with parasitic digenean trematodes for millions of years, utilize circulating heamocytes as the primary method of containing and killing these invading parasites. In order to do so, they must generate suitable amounts of haemocytes that are properly armed to kill parasitic worms. One method by which they generate the haemocytes required to initiate the appropriate cell mediated immune response is via the production and post-translational processing of granulins. Granulins are an evolutionarily conserved family of growth factors present in the majority of eukaryotic life forms. In their pro-granulin form, they can elicit cellular replication and differentiation. The pro-granulins can be further processed by elastase to generate smaller granulin fragments that have been shown to functionally differ from the pro-granulin precursor. In this study, we demonstrate that in vivo addition of Biomphalaria glabrata pro-granulin (BgGRN) can reduce Schistosoma mansoni infection success in numerous Biomphalaria sp. when challenged with different S. mansoni strains. We also demonstrate that cleavage of BgGRN into individual granulin subunits by elastase results in the stimulation of haemocytes to produce reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Hambrook
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.R.H.); (A.A.G.); (E.A.P.)
| | - Abdullah A. Gharamah
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.R.H.); (A.A.G.); (E.A.P.)
| | - Emmanuel A. Pila
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.R.H.); (A.A.G.); (E.A.P.)
| | - Solomon Hussein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Patrick C. Hanington
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.R.H.); (A.A.G.); (E.A.P.)
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Maier T, Wheeler NJ, Namigai EKO, Tycko J, Grewelle RE, Woldeamanuel Y, Klohe K, Perez-Saez J, Sokolow SH, De Leo GA, Yoshino TP, Zamanian M, Reinhard-Rupp J. Gene drives for schistosomiasis transmission control. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007833. [PMID: 31856157 PMCID: PMC6922350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the most important and widespread neglected tropical diseases (NTD), with over 200 million people infected in more than 70 countries; the disease has nearly 800 million people at risk in endemic areas. Although mass drug administration is a cost-effective approach to reduce occurrence, extent, and severity of the disease, it does not provide protection to subsequent reinfection. Interventions that target the parasites’ intermediate snail hosts are a crucial part of the integrated strategy required to move toward disease elimination. The recent revolution in gene drive technology naturally leads to questions about whether gene drives could be used to efficiently spread schistosome resistance traits in a population of snails and whether gene drives have the potential to contribute to reduced disease transmission in the long run. Responsible implementation of gene drives will require solutions to complex challenges spanning multiple disciplines, from biology to policy. This Review Article presents collected perspectives from practitioners of global health, genome engineering, epidemiology, and snail/schistosome biology and outlines strategies for responsible gene drive technology development, impact measurements of gene drives for schistosomiasis control, and gene drive governance. Success in this arena is a function of many factors, including gene-editing specificity and efficiency, the level of resistance conferred by the gene drive, how fast gene drives may spread in a metapopulation over a complex landscape, ecological sustainability, social equity, and, ultimately, the reduction of infection prevalence in humans. With combined efforts from across the broad global health community, gene drives for schistosomiasis control could fortify our defenses against this devastating disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Maier
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas James Wheeler
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Global Health Institute of Merck (KGaA), Eysins, Switzerland
| | | | - Josh Tycko
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Richard Ernest Grewelle
- Hopkins Marine Station, School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, California, United States of America
| | - Yimtubezinash Woldeamanuel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Javier Perez-Saez
- Laboratory of Ecohydrology, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Susanne H. Sokolow
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Giulio A. De Leo
- Hopkins Marine Station, School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, California, United States of America
| | - Timothy P. Yoshino
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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Proteomic, metabolic and immunological changes in Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:1049-1060. [PMID: 31726057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mansonic schistosomiasis is a neglected disease transmitted by Biomphalaria spp. snails. Understanding what happens inside the intermediate host is important to develop more efficient ways of reducing schistosomiasis prevalence. Our purpose was to characterize metabolic and immunological changes in Biomphalaria glabrata 24 h after exposure to Schistosoma mansoni. For this purpose, proteins were extracted from snails' whole tissue with Tris-Urea buffer and digested with tripsin. Mass spectrometry was performed and analyzed with MaxQuant and Perseus software. Also, the hemolymph of five snails 24 h post exposure was collected, and the numbers of hemocytes, levels of urea, uric acid, nitric oxide, calcium, glycogen and alanine and aspartate aminotransferases activities were assessed. Snails were also dissected for measurement of glycogen content in the cephalopodal region and gonoda-digestive gland complex. Globin domain proteins were found to be up-regulated; also the number of circulating hemocytes was significantly higher after 24 h of exposure to the parasite. NO levels were higher 24 h post exposure. Several proteins associated with energy metabolism were found to be up-regulated. Glycogen analysis showed a significant decrease in the gonad-digestive gland complex glycogen content. We found several proteins which seem to be associated with the host immune response, most of which were up-regulated, however some were down-regulated, which may represent an important clue in understanding B. glabrata - S. mansoni compatibility.
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Guo Y, Zhang Y, Liu Q, Huang Y, Mao G, Yue Z, Abe EM, Li J, Wu Z, Li S, Zhou X, Hu W, Xiao N. A chromosomal-level genome assembly for the giant African snail Achatina fulica. Gigascience 2019; 8:giz124. [PMID: 31634388 PMCID: PMC6802634 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giz124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achatina fulica, the giant African snail, is the largest terrestrial mollusk species. Owing to its voracious appetite, wide environmental adaptability, high growth rate, and reproductive capacity, it has become an invasive species across the world, mainly in Southeast Asia, Japan, the western Pacific islands, and China. This pest can damage agricultural crops and is an intermediate host of many parasites that can threaten human health. However, genomic information of A. fulica remains limited, hindering genetic and genomic studies for invasion control and management of the species. FINDINGS Using a k-mer-based method, we estimated the A. fulica genome size to be 2.12 Gb, with a high repeat content up to 71%. Roughly 101.6 Gb genomic long-read data of A. fulica were generated from the Pacific Biosciences sequencing platform and assembled to produce a first A. fulica genome of 1.85 Gb with a contig N50 length of 726 kb. Using contact information from the Hi-C sequencing data, we successfully anchored 99.32% contig sequences into 31 chromosomes, leading to the final contig and scaffold N50 length of 721 kb and 59.6 Mb, respectively. The continuity, completeness, and accuracy were evaluated by genome comparison with other mollusk genomes, BUSCO assessment, and genomic read mapping. A total of 23,726 protein-coding genes were predicted from the assembled genome, among which 96.34% of the genes were functionally annotated. The phylogenetic analysis using whole-genome protein-coding genes revealed that A. fulica separated from a common ancestor with Biomphalaria glabrata ∼182 million years ago. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, the A. fulica genome is the first terrestrial mollusk genome published to date. The chromosome sequence of A. fulica will provide the research community with a valuable resource for population genetics and environmental adaptation studies for the species, as well as investigations of the chromosome-level of evolution within mollusks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhai Guo
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Qin Liu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Yun Huang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Guangyao Mao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Yue
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Eniola M Abe
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shizhu Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Xiaonong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
| | - Wei Hu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ning Xiao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China
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Buddenborg SK, Kamel B, Hanelt B, Bu L, Zhang SM, Mkoji GM, Loker ES. The in vivo transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni in the prominent vector species Biomphalaria pfeifferi with supporting observations from Biomphalaria glabrata. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007013. [PMID: 31568484 PMCID: PMC6797213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The full scope of the genes expressed by schistosomes during intramolluscan development has yet to be characterized. Understanding the gene products deployed by larval schistosomes in their snail hosts will provide insights into their establishment, maintenance, asexual reproduction, ability to castrate their hosts, and their prolific production of human-infective cercariae. Using the Illumina platform, the intramolluscan transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni was investigated in field-derived specimens of the prominent vector species Biomphalaria pfeifferi at 1 and 3 days post infection (d) and from snails shedding cercariae. These S. mansoni samples were derived from the same snails used in our complementary B. pfeifferi transcriptomic study. We supplemented this view with microarray analyses of S. mansoni from B. glabrata at 2d, 4d, 8d, 16d, and 32d to highlight robust features of S. mansoni transcription, even when a different technique and vector species was used. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Transcripts representing at least 7,740 (66%) of known S. mansoni genes were expressed during intramolluscan development, with the greatest number expressed in snails shedding cercariae. Many transcripts were constitutively expressed throughout development featuring membrane transporters, and metabolic enzymes involved in protein and nucleic acid synthesis and cell division. Several proteases and protease inhibitors were expressed at all stages, including some proteases usually associated with cercariae. Transcripts associated with G-protein coupled receptors, germ cell perpetuation, and stress responses and defense were well represented. We noted transcripts homologous to planarian anti-bacterial factors, several neural development or neuropeptide transcripts including neuropeptide Y, and receptors that may be associated with schistosome germinal cell maintenance that could also impact host reproduction. In at least one snail the presence of larvae of another digenean species (an amphistome) was associated with repressed S. mansoni transcriptional activity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This in vivo study, emphasizing field-derived snails and schistosomes, but supplemented with observations from a lab model, provides a distinct view from previous studies of development of cultured intramolluscan stages from lab-maintained organisms. We found many highly represented transcripts with suspected or unknown functions, with connection to intramolluscan development yet to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Buddenborg
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Bishoy Kamel
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Ben Hanelt
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Lijing Bu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Gerald M. Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairob,i Kenya
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
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Comparative study of excretory-secretory proteins released by Schistosoma mansoni-resistant, susceptible and naïve Biomphalaria glabrata. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:452. [PMID: 31521183 PMCID: PMC6744689 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3708-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a harmful neglected tropical disease caused by infection with Schistosoma spp., such as Schistosoma mansoni. Schistosoma must transition within a molluscan host to survive. Chemical analyses of schistosome-molluscan interactions indicate that host identification involves chemosensation, including naïve host preference. Proteomic technique advances enable sophisticated comparative analyses between infected and naïve snail host proteins. This study aimed to compare resistant, susceptible and naïve Biomphalaria glabrata snail-conditioned water (SCW) to identify potential attractants and deterrents. METHODS Behavioural bioassays were performed on S. mansoni miracidia to compare the effects of susceptible, F1 resistant and naïve B. glabrata SCW. The F1 resistant and susceptible B. glabrata SCW excretory-secretory proteins (ESPs) were fractionated using SDS-PAGE, identified with LC-MS/MS and compared to naïve snail ESPs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses based on published studies (including experiments, co-expression, text-mining and gene fusion) identified S. mansoni and B. glabrata protein interaction. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD015129. RESULTS A total of 291, 410 and 597 ESPs were detected in the susceptible, F1 resistant and naïve SCW, respectively. Less overlap in ESPs was identified between susceptible and naïve snails than F1 resistant and naïve snails. F1 resistant B. glabrata ESPs were predominately associated with anti-pathogen activity and detoxification, such as leukocyte elastase and peroxiredoxin. Susceptible B. glabrata several proteins correlated with immunity and anti-inflammation, such as glutathione S-transferase and zinc metalloproteinase, and S. mansoni sporocyst presence. PPI analyses found that uncharacterised S. mansoni protein Smp_142140.1 potentially interacts with numerous B. glabrata proteins. CONCLUSIONS This study identified ESPs released by F1 resistant, susceptible and naïve B. glabrata to explain S. mansoni miracidia interplay. Susceptible B. glabrata ESPs shed light on potential S. mansoni miracidia deterrents. Further targeted research on specific ESPs identified in this study could help inhibit B. glabrata and S. mansoni interactions and stop human schistosomiasis.
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117
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Biggar KK, Storey KB. Functional impact of microRNA regulation in models of extreme stress adaptation. J Mol Cell Biol 2019; 10:93-101. [PMID: 29206937 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjx053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
When confronted with severe environmental stress, some animals are able to undergo a substantial reorganization of their cellular environment that enables long-term survival. One molecular mechanism of adaptation that has received considerable attention in recent years has been the action of reversible transcriptome regulation by microRNA. The implementation of new computational and high-throughput experimental approaches has started to uncover the vital contributions of microRNA towards stress adaptation. Indeed, recent studies have suggested that microRNA may have a major regulatory influence over a number of cellular processes that are essential to prolonged environmental stress survival. To date, a number of studies have highlighted the role of microRNA in the regulation of a metabolically depressed state, documenting stress-responsive microRNA expression during mammalian hibernation, frog and insect freeze tolerance, and turtle and marine snail anoxia tolerance. These studies collectively indicate a conserved principle of microRNA stress response across phylogeny. As we are on the verge of dissecting the role of microRNA in environmental stress adaptation, this review summarizes recent research advances and the hallmark expression patterns that facilitate stress survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle K Biggar
- Institute of Biochemistry & Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Institute of Biochemistry & Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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118
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Dushku E, Ioannou A, Staikou A, Yiangou M. Probiotic properties and immunomodulatory activity of gastrointestinal tract commensal bacterial strains isolated from the edible farmed snail Cornu aspersum maxima. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 92:792-801. [PMID: 31271839 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.06.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro probiotic properties as well as the immunomodulatory activity of bacterial strains isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of the edible-farmed land snail Cornu aspersum maxima. Forty lactic acid bacterial strains (named Sgs1-40) were isolated from the intestinal tract and eight strains (named SgmA-H) from the oesophagus-crop of snails. Several criteria were used to examine whether they may be applied as snail-specific for the screening of the presumptive probiotic bacterial strains. Principal Component Analysis using criteria such as the tolerance of these strains to the pedal mucus, gastric mucus, gastric juices and low pH, as well as the expression of the cell surface traits of hydrophobicity, biofilm formation and autoaggregation capacity revealed discrimination of twelve strains exhibiting presumptive in vitro probiotic properties. Injection of eight of these strains, which were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, in snail haemocoel increased the recruitment and phagocytic activity of amoebocytes in snail haemolymph. The Sgs14 and SgmB strains, exhibiting the highest immunostimulatory activity in haemolymph, were FITC-labelled and orally administrated to snails for ten days. The Sgs14 strain was able to adhere to intestinal mucosa of snails and stimulate the chemotactic and phagocytic activity of amoebocytes in haemolymph as well as the bactericidal activity of haemolymph serum. These responses are potentially mediated by the regulation of TLRs expression in the gut mucosa. These data indicate that the determination of properties such as snail mucus and gastric juice tolerance, cell surface traits for adhesion as well as increased chemotactic and phagocytic activity in snail haemolymph are eligible criteria to screen for snail-specific probiotics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that investigates the probiotic properties of gastrointestinal microflora of the terrestrial farmed snail Cornu aspersum maxima.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmeralda Dushku
- Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasia Ioannou
- Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandra Staikou
- Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Minas Yiangou
- Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Acker MJ, Habib MR, Beach GA, Doyle JM, Miller MW, Croll RP. An immunohistochemical analysis of peptidergic neurons apparently associated with reproduction and growth in Biomphalaria alexandrina. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 280:1-8. [PMID: 30923005 PMCID: PMC6635034 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Peptide hormones and neurotransmitters involved in reproduction and growth have been studied extensively in certain gastropod molluscs, such as Lymnaea stagnalis and Aplysia californica. The present study employs antisera that have been used to study peptidergic neurons in those species to probe the central nervous system of another gastropod, Biomphalaria alexandrina, an intermediate host of the parasitic trematode that causes schistosomiasis in humans. Whole mount preparations of central ganglia were stained immunohistochemically, and several populations of neurons appeared to be homologous to those forming the neuroendocrine axis that has been previously described in L. stagnalis. These cells include the caudodorsal cells and the light green and canopy cells, which produce hormones that regulate ovulation and growth, respectively. Other populations of cells containing APGWamide, FMRFamide and/or related peptides are consistent with ones that innervate the penis in L. stagnalis and other gastropods. Identification of neurons that might be responsible for the control of reproduction and growth in Biomphalaria provides an important initial step toward the development of novel methods of disease control and pest management directed toward reducing snail populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison J Acker
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mohamed R Habib
- Medical Malacology Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza 12411, Egypt
| | - Griffin A Beach
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jillian M Doyle
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mark W Miller
- Institute of Neurobiology and Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Roger P Croll
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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Tissue distribution and functional characterization of mytimacin-4 in Mytilus galloprovincialis. J Invertebr Pathol 2019; 166:107215. [PMID: 31299225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play fundamental roles in the innate immunity of invertebrates. Mytimacin-4 is a kind of AMP gene previously sequenced from Mytilus galloprovincialis based on an identified EST sequence in our lab. In the present study, the tissue distribution and antimicrobial activities of mytimacin-4 were further investigated. A qRT-PCR analysis revealed that mytimacin-4 transcripts were constitutively expressed in all of the tested tissues of M. galloprovincialis, with the highest expression level in the posterior adductor muscle. After challenge by Vibrio anguillarum, the expression level of mytimacin-4 gene was significantly increased at 24 h (P < 0.05) in the mantle and increased at 48 h (P < 0.05) in the posterior adductor muscle. This finding suggested that mytimacin-4 transcripts were inducible upon pathogen infection. A minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay indicated that recombinant mytimacin-4 protein had potent antimicrobial activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Among the tested microorganisms, mytimacin-4 protein exhibited strong inhibition activities against Bacillus subtilis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus with MICs of 0.315 μM and 0.62 μM, respectively. This study provides for the first time direct evidence of antimicrobial action of mytimacin-4 in M. galloprovincialis.
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Brennan JJ, Gilmore TD. Evolutionary Origins of Toll-like Receptor Signaling. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 35:1576-1587. [PMID: 29590394 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msy050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are transmembrane pattern recognition receptors that are best known for their roles in innate immunity for the detection of and defense against microbial pathogens. However, TLRs also have roles in many nonimmune processes, most notably development. TLRs direct both immune and developmental programs by activation of downstream signaling pathways, often by activation of the NF-κB pathway. There are two primary TLR subtypes: 1) TLRs with multiple cysteine clusters in their ectodomain (mccTLRs) and 2) TLRs with a single cysteine cluster in their ectodomain (sccTLRs). For some time, it has been known that TLRs and the biological processes that they control are conserved in organisms from insects to mammals. However, genome and transcriptome sequencing has revealed that many basal metazoans also have TLRs and downstream NF-κB signaling components. In this review, we discuss what is known about the structure, biological function, and downstream signaling pathways of TLRs found in phyla from Porifera through Annelida. From these analyses, we hypothesize that mccTLRs emerged in the phylum Cnidaria, that sccTLRs evolved in the phylum Mollusca, and that TLRs have dual immune and developmental biological functions in organisms as ancient as cnidarians.
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Portilho LG, Duarte BCD, Queiroz FR, Ribeiro THC, Jeremias WDJ, Babá EH, Coelho PMZ, Morais ER, Cabral FJ, Caldeira RL, Gomes MDS. Genome-wide identification, characterisation and expression profiling of the ubiquitin-proteasome genes in Biomphalaria glabrata. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2019; 114:e190052. [PMID: 31166481 PMCID: PMC6548493 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760190052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomphalaria glabrata is the major species used for the
study of schistosomiasis-related parasite-host relationships, and
understanding its gene regulation may aid in this endeavor. The
ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) performs post-translational regulation in
order to maintain cellular protein homeostasis and is related to several
mechanisms, including immune responses. OBJECTIVE The aims of this work were to identify and characterise the putative genes
and proteins involved in UPS using bioinformatic tools and also their
expression on different tissues of B. glabrata. METHODS The putative genes and proteins of UPS in B. glabrata were
predicted using BLASTp and as queries reference proteins from model
organism. We characterised these putative proteins using PFAM and CDD
software describing the conserved domains and active sites. The phylogenetic
analysis was performed using ClustalX2 and MEGA5.2. Expression evaluation
was performed from 12 snail tissues using RPKM. FINDINGS 119 sequences involved in the UPS in B. glabrata were
identified, which 86 have been related to the ubiquitination pathway and 33
to proteasome. In addition, the conserved domains found were associated with
the ubiquitin family, UQ_con, HECT, U-box and proteasome. The main active
sites were lysine and cysteine residues. Lysines are responsible and the
starting point for the formation of polyubiquitin chains, while the cysteine
residues of the enzymes are responsible for binding to ubiquitin. The
phylogenetic analysis showed an organised distribution between the organisms
and the clades of the sequences, corresponding to the tree of life of the
animals, for all groups of sequences analysed. The ubiquitin sequence was
the only one with a high expression profile found in all libraries,
inferring its wide range of performance. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results show the presence, conservation and expression profile of the UPS
in this mollusk, providing a basis and new knowledge for other studies
involving this system. Due to the importance of the UPS and B.
glabrata, this work may influence the search for new
methodologies for the control of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laysa Gomes Portilho
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
| | - Bruna Custódio Dias Duarte
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
| | - Fábio Ribeiro Queiroz
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia do Schistosoma mansoni e sua Interação com o Hospedeiro, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Thales Henrique Cherubino Ribeiro
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Seção de Fisiologia de Plantas, Laboratório de Fisiologia Molecular de Plantas, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - Wander de Jesus Jeremias
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Departamento de Farmácia/Escola de Farmácia, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Elio Hideo Babá
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia do Schistosoma mansoni e sua Interação com o Hospedeiro, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Paulo Marcos Zech Coelho
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia do Schistosoma mansoni e sua Interação com o Hospedeiro, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Enyara Rezende Morais
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
| | - Fernanda Janku Cabral
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Roberta Lima Caldeira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Matheus de Souza Gomes
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
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Gorbushin AM. Derivatives of the lectin complement pathway in Lophotrochozoa. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 94:35-58. [PMID: 30682446 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
A plethora of non-overlapping immune molecular mechanisms in metazoans is the most puzzling issue in comparative immunobiology. No valid evolutionary retrospective on these mechanisms has been developed. In this study, we aimed to reveal the origin and evolution of the immune complement-like system in Lophotrochozoa. For this, we analyzed publicly available transcriptomes of prebilaterian and lophotrochozoan species, mapping lineage-specific molecular events on the phylogenetic tree. We found that there were no orthologs of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and ficolins (FCN) in Lophotrochozoa but C1q-like proteins (C1qL), bearing both a collagen domain and a globular C1q domain, were omnipresent in them. This suggests that among all complement-like activators the C1qL-specific domain architecture was an evolutionarily first. Two novel protostomian MASP-Related Molecules, MReM1 and MReM2, might hypothetically compensate for the loss of a prebilaterian MASP-orthologous gene and act in complex with C1qL and C1qDC as a "proto-activator" of an ancient "proto-complement". We proposed a new model of the complement evolution predicting that numerous lineage-specific complement-like systems should have evolved from a stem "antique" molecular complex. First evolved in the common ancestor of coelomic animals, the "antique" humoral complex consisted of a TEP molecule, the common ancestor of TEP-associated proteases (C2/Bf/Сf/Lf), the common ancestor of MASP-like proteases (MASP/C1r/C1s, MReM1/MReM2) and multimeric recognition proteins (C1q-, MBL- and FCN-homologs). Further evolutionary specialization and expansion of the complex was independent and lineage-specific, examples being the mammalian complement system and the Apogastropoda complement-like complex. The latter includes an impressive array of multimeric recognition proteins, the variable immunoglobulin and lectin domain containing molecules (VIgL), homologous to C1q, MBL, FCN and other lectins. Four novel polymorphic subfamilies of VIgLs were found to be expressed in Apogastropoda: C1q-related proteins (QREP), zona pellucida-related proteins (ZREP), Scavenger Receptor Cys-Rich-related proteins (SREP) and HPA-lectin related proteins (HREP). The transcriptional response of fibrinogen-related proteins of VIgL family (LlFREP), LlQREP and LlSREP to infestation of common periwinkle, Littorina littorea, with digenean parasite Himasthla elongata correlates with that of LlMReM1, supporting the model suggested in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Gorbushin
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry (IEPhB RAS), Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
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124
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Identification and sequencing of the gene encoding DNA methyltransferase 3 (DNMT3) from sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:3791-3800. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04821-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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125
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Lombardo FC, Pasche V, Panic G, Endriss Y, Keiser J. Life cycle maintenance and drug-sensitivity assays for early drug discovery in Schistosoma mansoni. Nat Protoc 2019; 14:461-481. [PMID: 30610241 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0101-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Drug discovery for schistosomiasis is still limited to a handful of academic laboratories worldwide, with only a few novel antischistosomal lead compounds being actively researched. Despite recent international mobilization against the disease to stimulate and promote antischistosomal drug discovery, setting up a drug-screening flow with schistosome parasites remains challenging. Whereas numerous different protocols to obtain and cultivate schistosomes have been published, those describing the drug-screening process are scarce, and none gather together parasite cultivation and early drug discovery procedures. To help overcome this hurdle, we provide here a set of integrated methods either adapted from already-published protocols or based on our long-term experience in schistosomiasis research. Specifically, we detail the establishment and maintenance of the complex and several-week-long Schistosoma mansoni life cycle in a laboratory setting, as well as the means of retrieving and culturing the parasites at their relevant life stages. The in vitro and in vivo assays that are performed along the drug-screening cascade are also described. In these assays, which can be performed within 5 d, the effect of a drug is determined by phenotypic assessment of the parasites' viability and morphology, for which stage-specific scoring scales are proposed. Finally, the modalities for testing and evaluating a compound in vivo, constituting a procedure lasting up to 10 weeks, are presented in order to go from in vitro hit identification to the selection of early lead candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio C Lombardo
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Valérian Pasche
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gordana Panic
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yvette Endriss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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126
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DeAguero AA, Castillo L, Oas ST, Kiani K, Bryantsev AL, Cripps RM. Regulation of fiber-specific actin expression by the Drosophila SRF ortholog Blistered. Development 2019; 146:dev.164129. [PMID: 30872277 PMCID: PMC6467476 DOI: 10.1242/dev.164129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Serum response factor (SRF) has an established role in controlling actin homeostasis in mammalian cells, yet its role in non-vertebrate muscle development has remained enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that the single Drosophila SRF ortholog, termed Blistered (Bs), is expressed in all adult muscles, but Bs is required for muscle organization only in the adult indirect flight muscles. Bs is a direct activator of the flight muscle actin gene Act88F, via a conserved promoter-proximal binding site. However, Bs only activates Act88F expression in the context of the flight muscle regulatory program provided by the Pbx and Meis orthologs Extradenticle and Homothorax, and appears to function in a similar manner to mammalian SRF in muscle maturation. These studies place Bs in a regulatory framework where it functions to sustain the flight muscle phenotype in Drosophila Our studies uncover an evolutionarily ancient role for SRF in regulating muscle actin expression, and provide a model for how SRF might function to sustain muscle fate downstream of pioneer factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A DeAguero
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Lizzet Castillo
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Sandy T Oas
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.,Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Kaveh Kiani
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
| | - Anton L Bryantsev
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
| | - Richard M Cripps
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA .,Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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127
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Abstract
The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is widely distributed in the mammalian central nervous system, where it acts as a major mediator of synaptic inhibition. GABA also serves as a neurotransmitter in a range of invertebrate phyla, including arthropods, echinoderms, annelids, nematodes, and platyhelminthes. This article reviews evidence supporting the neurotransmitter role of GABA in gastropod molluscs, with an emphasis on its presence in identified neurons and well-characterized neural circuits. The collective findings indicate that GABAergic signaling participates in the selection and specification of motor programs, as well as the bilateral coordination of motor circuits. While relatively few in number, GABAergic neurons can influence neural circuits via inhibitory, excitatory, and modulatory synaptic actions. GABA's colocalization with peptidergic and classical neurotransmitters can broaden its integrative capacity. The functional properties of GABAergic neurons in simpler gastropod systems may provide insight into the role of this neurotransmitter phenotype in more complex brains.
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Key Words
- BCI, buccal-cerebral interneuron
- CBC, cerebral-buccal connective
- CBI, cerebral-buccal interneuron
- CNS, central nervous system
- CPG, central pattern generator
- Cr-Aint, cerebral A interneuron
- DA, dopamine
- EPSP, excitatory postsynaptic potential
- FCAP, feeding circuit activating peptide
- GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid
- GABAli, GABA-like immunoreactivity
- IPSP, inhibitory postsynaptic potential
- PKC, protein kinase C
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Affiliation(s)
- MARK W. MILLER
- Institute of Neurobiology and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
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128
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Pinaud S, Portet A, Allienne JF, Belmudes L, Saint-Beat C, Arancibia N, Galinier R, Du Pasquier L, Duval D, Gourbal B. Molecular characterisation of immunological memory following homologous or heterologous challenges in the schistosomiasis vector snail, Biomphalaria glabrata. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 92:238-252. [PMID: 30529491 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Invertebrate immune response may be primed by a current infection in a sustained manner, leading to the failure of a secondary infection with the same pathogen. The present study focuses on the Schistosomiasis vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata, in which a specific genotype-dependent immunological memory was demonstrated as a shift from a cellular to a humoral immune response. Herein, we investigate the complex molecular bases associated with this genotype-dependant immunological memory response. We demonstrate that Biomphalaria regulates a polymorphic set of immune recognition molecules and immune effector repertoires to respond to different strains of Schistosoma parasites. These results suggest a combinatorial usage of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) that distinguish different strains of parasites during the acquisition of immunological memory. Immunizations also show that snails become resistant after exposure to parasite extracts. Hemolymph transfer and a label-free proteomic analysis proved that circulating hemolymph compounds can be produced and released to more efficiently kill the newly encountered parasite of the same genetic lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvain Pinaud
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
| | - Anaïs Portet
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
| | - Jean-François Allienne
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
| | - Lucid Belmudes
- CEA-Grenoble, Exploring the Dynamics of Proteomes (EDyP), F-38054, Grenoble, Cedex 9, France.
| | - Cécile Saint-Beat
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
| | - Nathalie Arancibia
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
| | - Richard Galinier
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
| | - Louis Du Pasquier
- University of Basel, Zoological Institute, Department of Zoology and Evolutionary Biology Vesalgasse 1, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - David Duval
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
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129
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Cai H, Li Q, Fang X, Li J, Curtis NE, Altenburger A, Shibata T, Feng M, Maeda T, Schwartz JA, Shigenobu S, Lundholm N, Nishiyama T, Yang H, Hasebe M, Li S, Pierce SK, Wang J. A draft genome assembly of the solar-powered sea slug Elysia chlorotica. Sci Data 2019; 6:190022. [PMID: 30778257 PMCID: PMC6380222 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2019.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Elysia chlorotica, a sacoglossan sea slug found off the East Coast of the United States, is well-known for its ability to sequester chloroplasts from its algal prey and survive by photosynthesis for up to 12 months in the absence of food supply. Here we present a draft genome assembly of E. chlorotica that was generated using a hybrid assembly strategy with Illumina short reads and PacBio long reads. The genome assembly comprised 9,989 scaffolds, with a total length of 557 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 442 kb. BUSCO assessment indicated that 93.3% of the expected metazoan genes were completely present in the genome assembly. Annotation of the E. chlorotica genome assembly identified 176 Mb (32.6%) of repetitive sequences and a total of 24,980 protein-coding genes. We anticipate that the annotated draft genome assembly of the E. chlorotica sea slug will promote the investigation of sacoglossan genetics, evolution, and particularly, the genetic signatures accounting for the long-term functioning of algal chloroplasts in an animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Cai
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Qiye Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 650223, Kunming, China
| | | | - Ji Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 650223, Kunming, China
| | - Nicholas E Curtis
- Department of Biology, Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Florida 34142, USA
| | - Andreas Altenburger
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1350, Denmark
| | - Tomoko Shibata
- National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Mingji Feng
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Taro Maeda
- National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Julie A Schwartz
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan.,Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Nina Lundholm
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1350, Denmark
| | - Tomoaki Nishiyama
- Advanced Science Research Center, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
| | - Huanming Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.,James D. Watson Institute of Genome Sciences, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mitsuyasu Hasebe
- National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan.,Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Shuaicheng Li
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Sidney K Pierce
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.,James D. Watson Institute of Genome Sciences, Hangzhou 310058, China
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130
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A Recurrent Motif: Diversity and Evolution of ShKT Domain Containing Proteins in the Vampire Snail Cumia reticulata. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11020106. [PMID: 30759797 PMCID: PMC6409789 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11020106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins of the ShK superfamily are characterized by a small conserved domain (ShKT), first discovered in small venom peptides produced by sea anemones, and acting as specific inhibitors of voltage-dependent and calcium-activated K+ channels. The ShK superfamily includes both small toxic peptides and larger multifunctional proteins with various functions. ShK toxins are often important components of animal venoms, where they perform different biological functions including neurotoxic and immunosuppressive effects. Given their high specificity and effectiveness, they are currently regarded as promising pharmacological lead compounds for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Here, we report on the molecular analysis of ShKT domain containing proteins produced by the Mediterranean vampire snail Cumia reticulata, an ectoparasitic gastropod that feeds on benthic fishes. The high specificity of expression of most ShK transcripts in salivary glands identifies them as relevant components of C. reticulata venom. These ShK proteins display various structural architectures, being produced either as single-domain secretory peptides, or as larger proteins combining the ShKT with M12 or CAP domains. Both ShKT-containing genes and their internal ShKT domains undergo frequent duplication events in C. reticulata, ensuring a high level of variability that is likely to play a role in increasing the range of their potential molecular targets.
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131
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A Biomphalaria glabrata peptide that stimulates significant behaviour modifications in aquatic free-living Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0006948. [PMID: 30668561 PMCID: PMC6358113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human disease schistosomiasis (or bilharzia) is caused by the helminth blood fluke parasite Schistosoma mansoni, which requires an intermediate host, the freshwater gastropod snail Biomphalaria glabrata (the most common intermediate host). The free-swimming parasite miracidia utilise an excellent chemosensory sense to detect and locate an appropriate host. This study investigated the biomolecules released by the snail that stimulate changes in the behaviour of the aquatic S. mansoni miracidia. To achieve this, we have performed an integrated analysis of the snail-conditioned water, through chromatography and bioassay-guided behaviour observations, followed by mass spectrometry. A single fraction containing multiple putative peptides could stimulate extreme swimming behaviour modifications (e.g. velocity, angular variation) similar to those observed in response to crude snail mucus. One peptide (P12;—R-DITSGLDPEVADD-KR—) could replicate the stimulation of miracidia behaviour changes. P12 is derived from a larger precursor protein with a signal peptide and multiple dibasic cleavage sites, which is synthesised in various tissues of the snail, including the central nervous system and foot. P12 consists of an alpha helix secondary structure as indicated by circular dichroism spectroscopy. This information will be helpful for the development of approaches to manipulate this parasites life cycle, and opens up new avenues for exploring other parasitic diseases which have an aquatic phase using methods detailed in this investigation. In aquatic environments, where the vast majority of animals live in darkness, key relationships are often formed and maintained by chemical communication (including smell and taste). Parasites with an aquatic life phase rely on an exquisite sense of chemosensation to detect host biomolecules (kairomones), allowing them to locate and infect their host. Our study identifies the first kairomone released by the freshwater gastropod snail Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host for the helminth blood fluke parasite Schistosoma mansoni. This is a key aspect of the S. mansoni life-cycle that ultimately leads to human infection, causing the disease schistosomiasis (or bilharzia), which is considered the most devastating human helminth infection in terms of global morbidity and mortality. The kairomone we identify is a peptide that does not appear to share any similarity with any other known animal peptide. This information will be helpful as we explore methods to interrupt parasite infection, and therefore break the cycle of infection that causes a major human disease.
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132
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Evolutionary distribution of deoxynucleoside 5-monophosphate N-glycosidase, DNPH1. Gene 2019; 683:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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133
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Wheeler NJ, Dinguirard N, Marquez J, Gonzalez A, Zamanian M, Yoshino TP, Castillo MG. Sequence and structural variation in the genome of the Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:496. [PMID: 30180879 PMCID: PMC6122571 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3059-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aquatic pulmonate snail Biomphalaria glabrata is a significant vector and laboratory host for the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni, an etiological agent for the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis. Much is known regarding the host-parasite interactions of these two organisms, and the B. glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line has been an invaluable resource in these studies. The B. glabrata BB02 genome sequence was recently released, but nothing is known of the sequence variation between this reference and the Bge cell genome, which has likely accumulated substantial genetic variation in the ~50 years since its isolation. Results Here, we report the genome sequence of our laboratory subculture of the Bge cell line (designated Bge3), which we mapped to the B. glabrata BB02 reference genome. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were predicted and focus was given to those SNVs that are most likely to affect the structure or expression of protein-coding genes. Furthermore, we have highlighted and validated high-impact SNVs in genes that have often been studied using Bge cells as an in vitro model, and other genes that may have contributed to the immortalization of this cell line. We also resolved representative karyotypes for the Bge3 subculture, which revealed a mixed population exhibiting substantial aneuploidy, in line with previous reports from other Bge subcultures. Conclusions The Bge3 genome differs from the B. glabrata BB02 reference genome in both sequence and structure, and these are likely to have significant biological effects. The availability of the Bge3 genome sequence, and an awareness of genomic differences with B. glabrata, will inform the design of experiments to understand gene function in this unique in vitro snail cell model. Additionally, this resource will aid in the development of new technologies and molecular approaches that promise to reveal more about this schistosomiasis-transmitting snail vector. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3059-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas J Wheeler
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nathalie Dinguirard
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Joshua Marquez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Adrian Gonzalez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Timothy P Yoshino
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Maria G Castillo
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA.
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Humphries JE, Deneckere LE. Characterization of a Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway in Biomphalaria glabrata and its potential regulation by NF-kappaB. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 86:118-129. [PMID: 29746981 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
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135
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Anderson TJC, LoVerde PT, Le Clec'h W, Chevalier FD. Genetic Crosses and Linkage Mapping in Schistosome Parasites. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:982-996. [PMID: 30150002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Linkage mapping - utilizing experimental genetic crosses to examine cosegregation of phenotypic traits with genetic markers - is now 100 years old. Schistosome parasites are exquisitely well suited to linkage mapping approaches because genetic crosses can be conducted in the laboratory, thousands of progeny are produced, and elegant experimental work over the last 75 years has revealed heritable genetic variation in multiple biomedically important traits such as drug resistance, host specificity, and virulence. Application of this approach is timely because the improved genome assembly for Schistosoma mansoni and developing molecular toolkit for schistosomes increase our ability to link phenotype with genotype. We describe current progress and potential future directions of linkage mapping in schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Winka Le Clec'h
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas 78227, USA
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136
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Famakinde DO. Treading the Path towards Genetic Control of Snail Resistance to Schistosome Infection. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:E86. [PMID: 30274482 PMCID: PMC6160955 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3030086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains the most important tropical snail-borne trematodiasis that threatens many millions of human lives. In achieving schistosomiasis elimination targets, sustainable control of the snail vectors represents a logical approach. Nonetheless, the ineffectiveness of the present snail control interventions emphasizes the need to develop new complementary strategies to ensure more effective control outcomes. Accordingly, the use of genetic techniques aimed at driving resistance traits into natural vector populations has been put forward as a promising tool for integrated snail control. Leveraging the Biomphalaria-Schistosoma model system, studies unraveling the complexities of the vector biology and those exploring the molecular basis of snail resistance to schistosome infection have been expanding in various breadths, generating many significant discoveries, and raising the hope for future breakthroughs. This review provides a compendium of relevant findings, and without neglecting the current existing gaps and potential future challenges, discusses how a transgenic snail approach may be adapted and harnessed to control human schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damilare O Famakinde
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos 100254, Nigeria.
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137
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Bridger JM, Brindley PJ, Knight M. The snail Biomphalaria glabrata as a model to interrogate the molecular basis of complex human diseases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006552. [PMID: 30091971 PMCID: PMC6084811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M. Bridger
- Institute of Environment, Health, and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Matty Knight
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America
- Division of Science and Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington DC, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
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138
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Nie L, Cai SY, Shao JZ, Chen J. Toll-Like Receptors, Associated Biological Roles, and Signaling Networks in Non-Mammals. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1523. [PMID: 30034391 PMCID: PMC6043800 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system is the first line of defense against pathogens, which is initiated by the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Among all the PRRs identified, the toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the most ancient class, with the most extensive spectrum of pathogen recognition. Since the first discovery of Toll in Drosophila melanogaster, numerous TLRs have been identified across a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species. It seems that TLRs, the signaling pathways that they initiate, or related adaptor proteins are essentially conserved in a wide variety of organisms, from Porifera to mammals. Molecular structure analysis indicates that most TLR homologs share similar domain patterns and that some vital participants of TLR signaling co-evolved with TLRs themselves. However, functional specification and emergence of new signaling pathways, as well as adaptors, did occur during evolution. In addition, ambiguities and gaps in knowledge still exist regarding the TLR network, especially in lower organisms. Hence, a systematic review from the comparative angle regarding this tremendous signaling system and the scenario of evolutionary pattern across Animalia is needed. In the current review, we present overview and possible evolutionary patterns of TLRs in non-mammals, hoping that this will provide clues for further investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Nie
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Shi-Yu Cai
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Shao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiong Chen
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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139
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Gorbushin AM. Immune repertoire in the transcriptome of Littorina littorea reveals new trends in lophotrochozoan proto-complement evolution. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 84:250-263. [PMID: 29501422 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of complement system in invertebrates is poorly investigated. While the repertoire of complement genes in several Ecdysozoa lineages is found substantially different from that of Deuterostomia, the composition and function of the complement in the second protostome lineage, Lophotrochozoa, remains unclear. Here we report the general description of new transcriptomic data on the common periwinkle, Littorina littorea, and trace the evolutionary trajectories of the ancestral proto-complement repertoire. The repertoire is defined as immune cascade providing the minimum set of C3-associated molecules required for C3b amplification, opsonization of the targets and their phagocytosis: thioester protein (TEP) C3, serine protease C2/factor B (Bf) and complement receptors (CR). The reference transcriptome of L. littorea was built from the dual-species RNA-seq experiment with the periwinkle and its tissue digenean parasite Himasthla elongata. Five TEPs, including the ortholog of the C3, are found expressed in the in the mollusk's inflamed tissues. The homolog of the complement receptors CR1/CR2 is also expressed, however the ortholog of Bf is not. The extensive phylogenetic analysis showed that the C3 ortholog and the complement receptors are retained in all key lophotrochozoan taxa: Mollusca, Annelida and Brachiopoda. However, the Bf ortholog was lost at least three times independently in different lineages: i) Cephalopoda, ii) a common ancestor of all Gastropoda and iii) one of the Annelida lineage, Clitellata. Both C3 and Bf molecules were retained in bivalve species, brachiopods and annelid worms from the Polychaeta lineage. Hypothetically, the function of the lost Bf in these animals can be compensated by Factor L (Lf) - the serine protease first found in L. littorea and homologous to both, the Bf and the arthropod factor C (Cf). The contrast differences in proto-complement repertoire between the sister mollusk' taxa, Bivalvia and Gastropoda (the conserved and modified sets, respectively), can underlie differences in their susceptibility to digenean infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Gorbushin
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry (IEPhB RAS), Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
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140
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Comparative immunological study of the snail Physella acuta (Hygrophila, Pulmonata) reveals shared and unique aspects of gastropod immunobiology. Mol Immunol 2018; 101:108-119. [PMID: 29920433 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The freshwater snail Physella acuta was selected to expand the perspective of comparative snail immunology. Analysis of Physella acuta, belonging to the Physidae, taxonomic sister family to Planorbidae, affords family-level comparison of immune features characterized from Biomphalaria glabrata, the model snail often used to interpret general gastropod immunity. To capture constitutive and induced immune sequences, transcriptomes of an individual Physella acuta snail, 12 h post injection with bacteria (Gram -/+) and one sham-exposed snail were recorded with 454 pyrosequencing. Assembly yielded a combined reference transcriptome containing 24,288 transcripts. Additionally, genomic Illumina reads were obtained (∼15-fold coverage). Recovery of transcripts for two macin-like antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), 12 aplysianins, four LBP/BPIs and three physalysins indicated that Physella acuta shares a similar organization of antimicrobial defenses with Biomphalaria glabrata, contrasting a modest AMP arsenal with a diverse set of antimicrobial proteins. The lack of predicted transmembrane domains in all seven Physella acuta PGRP transcripts supports the notion that gastropods do not employ cell-bound PGRP receptors, different from ecdysozoan invertebrates yet similar to mammals (vertebrate deuterostomes). The well-documented sequence diversification by Biomphalaria glabrata FREPs (immune lectins comprising immunoglobulin superfamily domains and fibrinogen domains), resulting from somatic mutations of a large FREP gene family is hypothesized to be unique to Planorbidae; Physella acuta revealed just two bonafide FREP genes and these were not diversified. Furthermore, the flatworm parasite Echinostoma paraensei, confirmed here to infect both snail species, did not evoke from Physella acuta the abundant expression of FREP proteins at 2, 4 and 8 days post exposure that was previously observed from Biomphalaria glabrata. The Physella acuta reference transcriptome also revealed 24 unique transcripts encoding proteins consisting of a single fibrinogen-related domain (FReDs), with a short N-terminal sequence encoding either a signal peptide, transmembrane domain or no predicted features. The Physella acuta FReDs are candidate immune genes based on implication of similar sequences in immunity of bivalve molluscs. Overall, comparative analysis of snails of sister families elucidated the potential for taxon-specific immune features and investigation of strategically selected species will provide a more comprehensive view of gastropod immunity.
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141
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Jones RA, Brophy PM, Davis CN, Davies TE, Emberson H, Rees Stevens P, Williams HW. Detection of Galba truncatula, Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron daubneyi environmental DNA within water sources on pasture land, a future tool for fluke control? Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:342. [PMID: 29884202 PMCID: PMC5994096 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2928-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing trematode prevalence and disease occurrence in livestock is a major concern. With the global spread of anthelmintic resistant trematodes, future control strategies must incorporate approaches focusing on avoidance of infection. The reliance of trematodes on intermediate snail hosts to successfully complete their life-cycle means livestock infections are linked to the availability of respective snail populations. By identifying intermediate snail host habitats, infection risk models may be strengthened whilst farmers may confidently apply pasture management strategies to disrupt the trematode life-cycle. However, accurately identifying and mapping these risk areas is challenging. Methods In this study, environmental DNA (eDNA) assays were designed to reveal Galba truncatula, Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron daubneyi presence within water sources on pasture land. eDNA was captured using a filter-based protocol, with DNA extracted using the DNeasy® PowerSoil® kit and amplified via PCR. In total, 19 potential G. truncatula habitats were analysed on four farms grazed by livestock infected with both F. hepatica and C. daubneyi. Results Galba truncatula eDNA was identified in 10/10 habitats where the snail was detected by eye. Galba truncatula eDNA was also identified in four further habitats where the snail was not physically detected. Fasciola hepatica and C. daubneyi eDNA was also identified in 5/19 and 8/19 habitats, respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrated that eDNA assays have the capabilities of detecting G. truncatula, F. hepatica and C. daubneyi DNA in the environment. Further assay development will be required for a field test capable of identifying and quantifying F. hepatica and C. daubneyi infection risk areas, to support future control strategies. An eDNA test would also be a powerful new tool for epidemiological investigations of parasite infections on farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys Aled Jones
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
| | - Peter M Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
| | - Chelsea N Davis
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
| | - Teri E Davies
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
| | - Holly Emberson
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
| | - Pauline Rees Stevens
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
| | - Hefin Wyn Williams
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
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142
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Portet A, Galinier R, Pinaud S, Portela J, Nowacki F, Gourbal B, Duval D. BgTEP: An Antiprotease Involved in Innate Immune Sensing in Biomphalaria glabrata. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1206. [PMID: 29899746 PMCID: PMC5989330 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect thioester-containing protein (iTEP) is the most recently defined group among the thioester-containing protein (TEP) superfamily. TEPs are key components of the immune system, and iTEPs from flies and mosquitoes were shown to be major immune weapons. Initially characterized from insects, TEP genes homologous to iTEP were further described from several other invertebrates including arthropods, cniderians, and mollusks albeit with few functional characterizations. In the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, a vector of the schistosomiasis disease, the presence of a TEP protein (BgTEP) was previously described in a well-defined immune complex involving snail lectins (fibrinogen-related proteins) and schistosome parasite mucins (SmPoMuc). To investigate the potential role of BgTEP in the immune response of the snail, we first characterized its genomic organization and its predicted protein structure. A phylogenetic analysis clustered BgTEP in a well-conserved subgroup of mollusk TEP. We then investigated the BgTEP expression profile in different snail tissues and followed immune challenges using different kinds of intruders during infection kinetics. Results revealed that BgTEP is particularly expressed in hemocytes, the immune-specialized cells in invertebrates, and is secreted into the hemolymph. Transcriptomic results further evidenced an intruder-dependent differential expression pattern of BgTEP, while interactome experiments showed that BgTEP is capable of binding to the surface of different microbes and parasite either in its full length form or in processed forms. An immunolocalization approach during snail infection by the Schistosoma mansoni parasite revealed that BgTEP is solely expressed by a subtype of hemocytes, the blast-like cells. This hemocyte subtype is present in the hemocytic capsule surrounding the parasite, suggesting a potential role in the parasite clearance by encapsulation. Through this work, we report the first characterization of a snail TEP. Our study also reveals that BgTEP may display an unexpected functional dual role. In addition to its previously characterized anti-protease activity, we demonstrate that BgTEP can bind to the intruder surface membrane, which supports a likely opsonin role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Portet
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Richard Galinier
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Julien Portela
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Fanny Nowacki
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
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143
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Zhang SM, Bu L, Laidemitt MR, Lu L, Mutuku MW, Mkoji GM, Loker ES. Complete mitochondrial and rDNA complex sequences of important vector species of Biomphalaria, obligatory hosts of the human-infecting blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7341. [PMID: 29743617 PMCID: PMC5943310 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Using high throughput Illumina sequencing technology, we determined complete sequences for the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) and nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) complex for three African freshwater snail taxa within the genus Biomphalaria, B. pfeifferi, B. sudanica and B. choanomphala, and for two laboratory strains of B. glabrata originating from the Neotropics. Biomphalaria snails are obligate vectors of the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, a major etiologic agent of human intestinal schistosomiasis. Our data show that mitogenomes from African and Neotropical Biomphalaria are highly conserved. With respect to rDNA, the two internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and 2) were found to be highly variable whereas the three ribosomal RNA genes (28S, 5.8S and 18S rRNA) exhibited no or very limited variation. Our analyses reveal that the two taxa inhabiting Lake Victoria, B. sudanica and B. choanomphala, are very similar to one another relative to the similarity either shows to B. pfeifferi or B. glabrata. This new sequence information may prove useful for developing new markers for snail identification, environmental detection/monitoring purposes or for tracking epidemiology and snail dependencies of S. mansoni in endemic areas. It also provides new information pertinent to still unresolved questions in Biomphalaria systematics and nomenclature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerqu, NM, 87131, USA.
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerqu, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Martina R Laidemitt
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerqu, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerqu, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Martin W Mutuku
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O Box, 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald M Mkoji
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O Box, 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerqu, NM, 87131, USA.,Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
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144
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Gerdol M, Luo YJ, Satoh N, Pallavicini A. Genetic and molecular basis of the immune system in the brachiopod Lingula anatina. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 82:7-30. [PMID: 29278680 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The extension of comparative immunology to non-model systems, such as mollusks and annelids, has revealed an unexpected diversity in the complement of immune receptors and effectors among evolutionary lineages. However, several lophotrochozoan phyla remain unexplored mainly due to the lack of genomic resources. The increasing accessibility of high-throughput sequencing technologies offers unique opportunities for extending genome-wide studies to non-model systems. As a result, the genome-based study of the immune system in brachiopods allows a better understanding of the alternative survival strategies developed by these immunologically neglected phyla. Here we present a detailed overview of the molecular components of the immune system identified in the genome of the brachiopod Lingula anatina. Our findings reveal conserved intracellular signaling pathways as well as unique strategies for pathogen detection and killing in brachiopods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Yi-Jyun Luo
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Satoh
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy; Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
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145
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Zhao QP, Gao Q, Zhang Y, Li YW, Huang WL, Tang CL, Dong HF. Identification of Toll-like receptor family members in Oncomelania hupensis and their role in defense against Schistosoma japonicum. Acta Trop 2018; 181:69-78. [PMID: 29409884 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The amphibious snail, Oncomelania hupensis, primarily distributed in the Far East, is the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, which causes the most virulent form of schistosomiasis. Obligatory parasitism of snails is the main vehicle for human and livestock infection and depends primarily on parasite infectivity, snail defense capacity and specificity, and parasite-snail compatibility. Therefore, the schistosome-snail interaction is biomedically significant, particularly the molecular mechanisms involved in the innate immune response against S. japonicum. Several immune effectors and signaling pathways have been successfully identified in mollusks, especially in Biomphalaria glabrata, the intermediate snail host of S. mansoni; however, limited information is available for O. hupensis. Here, we identified 16 Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in O. hupensis. These O. hupensis TLRs (OhTLRs) are highly expressed in haemocytes, the primary immune cell of mollusks. Most of the OhTLRs were more highly expressed in female gonads than in other tissues, which may suggest maternal immune transfer in O. hupensis. After S. japonicum challenge, the expression levels of all of the OhTLRs were significantly up-regulated at 6 h post-challenge; many of the OhTLR expression levels were inhibited at later time points in haemocytes, while they were inhibited and fluctuated to varying degrees in other tissues. Additionally, we further determined the tissue-specific expression and dynamic response against S. japonicum of one of the TLR signaling adaptors, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), from O. hupensis. Three OhMyD88 genes were highly expressed in haemocytes, and were up-regulated in haemocytes and inhibited in the head-foot muscle at the early time-point after S. japonicum challenge; however, these had slower changes and longer durations compared to OhTLRs. These results provide evidence suggesting that immune effectors are involved in innate immune responses of O. hupensis against S. japonicum and may play a role in the activation of different haemocytes, and not limited for the early response to S. japonicum invasion. Further investigation into the varied expression of OhTLRs in other tissues after S. japonicum challenge will improve our understanding of TLR function in innate immunity of O. hupensis.
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146
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Gourbal B, Pinaud S, Beckers GJM, Van Der Meer JWM, Conrath U, Netea MG. Innate immune memory: An evolutionary perspective. Immunol Rev 2018; 283:21-40. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Gourbal
- Interactions Hosts Pathogens Environments UMR 5244; University of Perpignan Via Domitia; CNRS; IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier; Perpignan France
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Interactions Hosts Pathogens Environments UMR 5244; University of Perpignan Via Domitia; CNRS; IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier; Perpignan France
| | | | - Jos W. M. Van Der Meer
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Uwe Conrath
- Department of Plant Physiology; RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
| | - Mihai G. Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Department for Genomics & Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES); University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
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147
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Nowell RW, Almeida P, Wilson CG, Smith TP, Fontaneto D, Crisp A, Micklem G, Tunnacliffe A, Boschetti C, Barraclough TG. Comparative genomics of bdelloid rotifers: Insights from desiccating and nondesiccating species. PLoS Biol 2018; 16:e2004830. [PMID: 29689044 PMCID: PMC5916493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2004830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bdelloid rotifers are a class of microscopic invertebrates that have existed for millions of years apparently without sex or meiosis. They inhabit a variety of temporary and permanent freshwater habitats globally, and many species are remarkably tolerant of desiccation. Bdelloids offer an opportunity to better understand the evolution of sex and recombination, but previous work has emphasised desiccation as the cause of several unusual genomic features in this group. Here, we present high-quality whole-genome sequences of 3 bdelloid species: Rotaria macrura and R. magnacalcarata, which are both desiccation intolerant, and Adineta ricciae, which is desiccation tolerant. In combination with the published assembly of A. vaga, which is also desiccation tolerant, we apply a comparative genomics approach to evaluate the potential effects of desiccation tolerance and asexuality on genome evolution in bdelloids. We find that ancestral tetraploidy is conserved among all 4 bdelloid species, but homologous divergence in obligately aquatic Rotaria genomes is unexpectedly low. This finding is contrary to current models regarding the role of desiccation in shaping bdelloid genomes. In addition, we find that homologous regions in A. ricciae are largely collinear and do not form palindromic repeats as observed in the published A. vaga assembly. Consequently, several features interpreted as genomic evidence for long-term ameiotic evolution are not general to all bdelloid species, even within the same genus. Finally, we substantiate previous findings of high levels of horizontally transferred nonmetazoan genes in both desiccating and nondesiccating bdelloid species and show that this unusual feature is not shared by other animal phyla, even those with desiccation-tolerant representatives. These comparisons call into question the proposed role of desiccation in mediating horizontal genetic transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben W. Nowell
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Pedro Almeida
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher G. Wilson
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas P. Smith
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Ecosystem Study, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
| | - Alastair Crisp
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, West Cambridge Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gos Micklem
- Department of Genetics, Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Tunnacliffe
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, West Cambridge Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Boschetti
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, West Cambridge Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, Plymouth University, Portland Square Building, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy G. Barraclough
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
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148
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Sokolow SH, Wood CL, Jones IJ, Lafferty KD, Kuris AM, Hsieh MH, De Leo GA. To Reduce the Global Burden of Human Schistosomiasis, Use 'Old Fashioned' Snail Control. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:23-40. [PMID: 29126819 PMCID: PMC5819334 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Control strategies to reduce human schistosomiasis have evolved from 'snail picking' campaigns, a century ago, to modern wide-scale human treatment campaigns, or preventive chemotherapy. Unfortunately, despite the rise in preventive chemotherapy campaigns, just as many people suffer from schistosomiasis today as they did 50 years ago. Snail control can complement preventive chemotherapy by reducing the risk of transmission from snails to humans. Here, we present ideas for modernizing and scaling up snail control, including spatiotemporal targeting, environmental diagnostics, better molluscicides, new technologies (e.g., gene drive), and 'outside the box' strategies such as natural enemies, traps, and repellants. We conclude that, to achieve the World Health Assembly's stated goal to eliminate schistosomiasis, it is time to give snail control another look.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne H Sokolow
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - Chelsea L Wood
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Box 355020, Seattle, WA 98195-5020, USA
| | - Isabel J Jones
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Kevin D Lafferty
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, c/o Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Armand M Kuris
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Michael H Hsieh
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC, 20010, USA; The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20037, USA; Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Giulio A De Leo
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
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149
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Mansour TA, Habib MR, Rodríguez LCV, Vázquez AH, Alers JM, Ghezzi A, Croll RP, Brown CT, Miller MW. Central nervous system transcriptome of Biomphalaria alexandrina, an intermediate host for schistosomiasis. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:729. [PMID: 29228974 PMCID: PMC5725652 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-3018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Globally, more than 200 million people live at risk of the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis (or snail fever). Larval schistosomes require the presence of specific snail species that act as intermediate hosts, supporting their multiplication and transformation into forms that can infect humans. This project was designed to generate a transcriptome from the central nervous system (CNS) of Biomphalaria alexandrina, the major intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt. Results A transcriptome was generated from five pooled central nervous systems dissected from uninfected specimens of B. alexandrina. Raw Illumina RNA-seq data (~ 20.3 million paired end reads of 150 base pairs length each) generated a transcriptome consisting of 144,213 transcript elements with an N50 contig size of 716 base pairs. Orthologs of 15,246 transcripts and homologs for an additional 16,810 transcripts were identified in the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot database. The B. alexandrina CNS transcriptome provides a resource for future research exploring parasite-host interactions in a simpler nervous system. Moreover, increased understanding of the neural signaling mechanisms involved in the response of B. alexandrina to infection by S. mansoni larvae could lead to novel and highly specific strategies for the control of snail populations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-017-3018-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer A Mansour
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed R Habib
- Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt
| | - Laura C Vicente Rodríguez
- Institute of Neurobiology and Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, 201 Blvd del Valle, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Anthony Hernández Vázquez
- Institute of Neurobiology and Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, 201 Blvd del Valle, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Julián Maldonado Alers
- Institute of Neurobiology and Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, 201 Blvd del Valle, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Alfredo Ghezzi
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Roger P Croll
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - C Titus Brown
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mark W Miller
- Institute of Neurobiology and Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, 201 Blvd del Valle, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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150
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Molecular context of Schistosoma mansoni transmission in the molluscan environments: A mini-review. Acta Trop 2017; 176:98-104. [PMID: 28754250 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni, being transmitted by some freshwater Biomphalaria snails, is a major causative agent of human schistosomiasis. In the absence of effective vaccine and alternative drug designs to fight against the disease, and with the limitations of molluscicide application, developing more efficient strategies to interrupt the snail-mediated parasite transmission is being emphasized as potentially instrumental in the efforts toward schistosomiasis elimination, hence, necessitating thorough and comprehensive understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved in the transmission process. Based on the current advances, this paper presents a concise exposition of the cellular, biochemical, genetic and immunological dynamics of the complex and statge-by-stage interactions between the parasite and its vector in their aquatic environment. It also highlights the possible crosstalk between the parasite's intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) during the intramolluscan stage. Undoubtedly, decades of intensive investigation have untangled many S. mansoni-B. glabrata complexities, yet many aspects of the parasite-vector cycle which can help define potential control clues await further elucidation.
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