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Bu L, Lu L, Laidemitt MR, Zhang SM, Mutuku M, Mkoji G, Steinauer M, Loker ES. A genome sequence for Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the major vector snail for the human-infecting parasite Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011208. [PMID: 36961841 PMCID: PMC10075465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomphalaria pfeifferi is the world's most widely distributed and commonly implicated vector snail species for the causative agent of human intestinal schistosomiasis, Schistosoma mansoni. In efforts to control S. mansoni transmission, chemotherapy alone has proven insufficient. New approaches to snail control offer a way forward, and possible genetic manipulations of snail vectors will require new tools. Towards this end, we here offer a diverse set of genomic resources for the important African schistosome vector, B. pfeifferi. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Based largely on PacBio High-Fidelity long reads, we report a genome assembly size of 772 Mb for B. pfeifferi (Kenya), smaller in size than known genomes of other planorbid schistosome vectors. In a total of 505 scaffolds (N50 = 3.2Mb), 430 were assigned to 18 large linkage groups inferred to represent the 18 known chromosomes, based on whole genome comparisons with Biomphalaria glabrata. The annotated B. pfeifferi genome reveals a divergence time of 3.01 million years with B. glabrata, a South American species believed to be similar to the progenitors of B. pfeifferi which undertook a trans-Atlantic colonization < five million years ago. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The genome for this preferentially self-crossing species is less heterozygous than related species known to be preferential out-crossers; its smaller genome relative to congeners may similarly reflect its preference for selfing. Expansions of gene families with immune relevance are noted, including the FReD gene family which is far more similar in its composition to B. glabrata than to Bulinus truncatus, a vector for Schistosoma haematobium. Provision of this annotated genome will help better understand the dependencies of trematodes on snails, enable broader comparative insights regarding factors contributing to susceptibility/ resistance of snails to schistosome infections, and provide an invaluable resource with respect to identifying and manipulating snail genes as potential targets for more specific snail control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Bu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lijun Lu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Martina R Laidemitt
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Martin Mutuku
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michelle Steinauer
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Eric S Loker
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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2
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Jönsson M, Morin M, Wang CK, Craik DJ, Degnan SM, Degnan BM. Sex-specific expression of pheromones and other signals in gravid starfish. BMC Biol 2022; 20:288. [PMID: 36528687 PMCID: PMC9759900 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01491-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many echinoderms form seasonal aggregations prior to spawning. In some fecund species, a spawning event can lead to population outbreaks with detrimental ecosystem impacts. For instance, outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), a corallivore, can destroy coral reefs. Here, we examine the gene expression in gravid male and female COTS prior to spawning in the wild, to identify genome-encoded factors that may regulate aggregation and spawning. This study is informed by a previously identified exoproteome that attracts conspecifics. To capture the natural gene expression profiles, we isolated RNAs from gravid female and male COTS immediately after they were removed from the Great Barrier Reef. RESULTS: Sexually dimorphic gene expression is present in all seven somatic tissues and organs that we surveyed and in the gonads. Approximately 40% of the exoproteome transcripts are differentially expressed between sexes. Males uniquely upregulate an additional 68 secreted factors in their testes. A suite of neuropeptides in sensory organs, coelomocytes and gonads is differentially expressed between sexes, including the relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide and gonadotropin-releasing hormones. Female sensory tentacles-chemosensory organs at the distal tips of the starfish arms-uniquely upregulate diverse receptors and signalling molecules, including chemosensory G-protein-coupled receptors and several neuropeptides, including kisspeptin, SALMFamide and orexin. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of 103 tissue/organ transcriptomes from 13 wild COTS has revealed genes that are consistently differentially expressed between gravid females and males and that all tissues surveyed are sexually dimorphic at the molecular level. This finding is consistent with female and male COTS using sex-specific pheromones to regulate reproductive aggregations and synchronised spawning events. These pheromones appear to be received primarily by the sensory tentacles, which express a range of receptors and signalling molecules in a sex-specific manner. Furthermore, coelomocytes and gonads differentially express signalling and regulatory factors that control gametogenesis and spawning in other echinoderms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Jönsson
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Marie Morin
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Sandie M Degnan
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Bernard M Degnan
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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3
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Miura M, Mitsui Y, Aoki Y, Kato K. A new accumulation assay of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia using square capillary glass tubes. Exp Parasitol 2022; 239:108313. [PMID: 35753412 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Current control measures for schistosomiasis have only been partially successful in endemic areas due to socioeconomic constraints. One possibility for controlling the disease is to aim at the miracidial stage of the trematode to avoid infecting intermediate snail hosts by introducing more attractive substances for miracidia in the environment. Here, we introduce an accumulation assay of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia using a square glass tube for analysis of the positive responses of miracidia toward several substances, including snail-conditioned water of Biomphalaria glabrata, Bulinus globosus and insusceptible snails collected in the Nagasaki area in Japan. The substances are not proteins because miracidia accumulated in boiled snail-conditioned water and the secretion or emission level of substances depended on the feeding conditions of Biomphalaria glabrata. The present study also showed that substances emitted from Biomphalaria glabrata with a molecular weight around 10 kDa accumulated Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. Further, we showed that Schistosoma mansoni miracidia did not accumulate in response to mono- or disaccharides tested in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsumasa Miura
- Department of Eco-epidemiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Mitsui
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Aoki
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kato
- Department of Eco-epidemiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan; School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
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4
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Peng M, Liu Z, Li Z, Qian S, Liu X, Li J. The temptin gene of the clade Lophotrochozoa is involved in formation of the prismatic layer during biomineralization in molluscs. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 188:800-810. [PMID: 34339790 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.07.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The biomineralization mechanism of mollusc shell has been studied for a long time, but there is a lack of understanding about the relationship between the shell formation in vitro and the signaling system in vivo. In this study, we cloned a novel shell matrix protein gene (hc-temptin), which only be characterized as a water-borne protein pheromone of molluscs in previous studies, from the freshwater mussel Hyriopsis cumingii. By bioinformatics analysis we found that temptin was a gene unique to the clade Lophotrochozoa, and it exists in all mollusc taxa except Cephalopoda. The current data supported the premise that temptin was generated in the early emergence of molluscs and that it maintained a high mutation rate to evolve relative independently. The specificity of hc-temptin expression in the mantle tissue suggests its potential to participate in biomineralization. Its sequence contained typical Ca2+ binding sites. Our experiments involving the pearl formation process, damaged shell repair process, and RNAi experiment showed that hc-temptin was a shell matrix protein that plays an important role in formation of the prismatic layer. The results of this study provided new insights about the origin of the temptin gene and its role in molluscs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoxiao Peng
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zhenming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
| | | | - Xiaojun Liu
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang 314000, China.
| | - Jiale Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China.
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5
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Ballard KR, Klein AH, Hayes RA, Wang T, Cummins SF. The protein and volatile components of trail mucus in the Common Garden Snail, Cornu aspersum. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251565. [PMID: 34043643 PMCID: PMC8158898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Common or Brown Garden Snail, Cornu aspersum, is an invasive land snail that has successfully colonized a diverse range of global environments. Like other invasive land snails, it is a significant pest of a variety of agricultural crops, including citrus, grapes and canola. Cornu aspersum secretes a mucus trail when mobile that facilitates locomotion. The involvement of the trail in conspecific chemical communication has also been postulated. Our study found that anterior tentacle contact with conspecific mucus elicited a significant increase in heart rate from 46.9 to 51 beats per minute. In order to gain a better understanding of the constituents of the trail mucus and the role it may play in snail communication, the protein and volatile components of mucus trails were investigated. Using two different protein extraction methods, mass spectrometry analysis yielded 175 different proteins, 29 of which had no significant similarity to any entries in the non-redundant protein sequence database. Of the mucus proteins, 22 contain features consistent with secreted proteins, including a perlucin-like protein. The eight most abundant volatiles detected using gas chromatography were recorded (including propanoic acid and limonene) and their potential role as putative pheromones are discussed. In summary, this study has provided an avenue for further research pertaining to the role of trail mucus in snail communication and provides a useful repository for land snail trail mucus components. This may be utilized for further research regarding snail attraction and dispersal, which may be applied in the fields of agriculture, ecology and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylene R. Ballard
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anne H. Klein
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Richard A. Hayes
- Forest Industries Research Centre, Forest Research Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Scott F. Cummins
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
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6
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Mendes TMF, Carrilho E, Galinaro CA, Cabral FJ, Allegretti SM. Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis: Proteomic changes in the snail host. Acta Trop 2020; 212:105684. [PMID: 32931750 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the main cause of human eosinophilic meningitis. Humans are accidental hosts, becoming infected due to ingestion of raw intermediate (snails and slugs) or paratenic hosts. Once ingested, the larvae migrate towards the brain where they die, causing the disease. To develop better mollusk control strategies, it is important to first understand what happens in the snail during infection, therefore our purpose was to characterize proteomic, metabolic and immunologic changes in Biomphalaria glabrata 24 h after infection with A. cantonensis. For this purpose, proteins were extracted from infected and uninfected snails and analyzed through mass spectrometry. Hemolymph was also collected, the number of hemocytes was counted and urea, nitric oxide, calcium, glycogen levels as well as alanine and aspartate aminotransferases activities were assessed. The cephalopodal region and gonad-digestive gland complex were dissected and their glycogen content was measured. After infection with A. cantonensis, we observed an increase of hemocytes and granulocytes as well as an increase in hemoglobin type 2 proteins. Temptin-like protein was also found up-regulated in infected snails. Several proteins with structural function (such as myosin heavy chain - striated muscle - like and protein LOC106059779 with ADAM/reprosolin domain) were also differentially expressed, suggesting loss/damage of internal tissues. Increase in phosphoglycerate mutase indicates an increase in glycolysis, possible to compensate the increase in energetic needs. Consequently, there is a decrease in glycogen reserves, particularly in the gonad - digestive gland complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago M F Mendes
- Biology Institute, Animal Biology Department, Campinas State University (UNICAMP) - SP, Brazil
| | - Emanuel Carrilho
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry - University of São Paulo (USP) - SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Galinaro
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry - University of São Paulo (USP) - SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda J Cabral
- Biology Institute, Animal Biology Department, Campinas State University (UNICAMP) - SP, Brazil
| | - Silmara M Allegretti
- Biology Institute, Animal Biology Department, Campinas State University (UNICAMP) - SP, Brazil.
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7
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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: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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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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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9
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Capt C, Renaut S, Stewart DT, Johnson NA, Breton S. Putative Mitochondrial Sex Determination in the Bivalvia: Insights From a Hybrid Transcriptome Assembly in Freshwater Mussels. Front Genet 2019; 10:840. [PMID: 31572447 PMCID: PMC6754070 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bivalves exhibit an astonishing diversity of sexual systems, with genetic and environmental determinants of sex, and possibly the only example of mitochondrial genes influencing sex determination pathways in animals. In contrast to all other animal species in which strict maternal inheritance (SMI) of mitochondria is the rule, bivalves possess a system known as doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) of mitochondria in which maternal and paternal mitochondria (and their corresponding female-transmitted or F mtDNA and male-transmitted or M mtDNA genomes) are transmitted within a species. Species with DUI also possess sex-associated mtDNA-encoded proteins (in addition to the typical set of 13), which have been hypothesized to play a role in sex determination. In this study, we analyzed the sex-biased transcriptome in gonads of two closely-related freshwater mussel species with different reproductive and mitochondrial transmission modes: the gonochoric, DUI species, Utterbackia peninsularis, and the hermaphroditic, SMI species, Utterbackia imbecillis. Through comparative analysis with other DUI and non-DUI bivalve transcriptomes already available, we identify common male and female-specific genes, as well as SMI and DUI-related genes, that are probably involved in sex determination and mitochondrial inheritance in this animal group. Our results contribute to the understanding of what could be the first animal sex determination system involving the mitochondrial genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Capt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Renaut
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Nathan A Johnson
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sophie Breton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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10
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Abstract
Gastropod diversity is substantial in marine and freshwater habitats, and many aquatic slugs and snails use olfactory cues to guide their navigation behaviour. Examples include finding prey or avoiding predators based on kairomones, or finding potential mates using pheromones. Here, I review the diversity of navigational behaviours studied across the major aquatic taxa of gastropods. I then synthesize evidence for the different theoretical navigation strategies the animals may use. It is likely that gastropods regularly use either chemotaxis or odour-gated rheotaxis (or both) during olfactory-based navigation. Finally, I collate the patchwork of research conducted on relevant proximate mechanisms that could produce navigation behaviours. Although the tractability of several gastropod species for neurophysiological experimentation has generated some valuable insight into how turning behaviour is triggered by contact chemoreception, there remain many substantial gaps in our understanding for how navigation relative to more distant odour sources is controlled in gastropods. These gaps include little information on the chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors (for detecting flow) found in the peripheral nervous system and the central (or peripheral) processing circuits that integrate that sensory input. In contrast, past studies do provide information on motor neurons that control the effectors that produce crawling (both forward locomotion and turning). Thus, there is plenty of scope for further research on olfactory-based navigation, exploiting the tractability of gastropods for neuroethology to better understand how the nervous system processes chemosensory input to generate movement towards or away from distant odour sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell C Wyeth
- Biology Department, St Francis Xavier University, 2321 Notre Dame Avenue, Antigonish, NS, Canada B2G 2W5
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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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12
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Buddenborg SK, Bu L, Zhang SM, Schilkey FD, Mkoji GM, Loker ES. Transcriptomic responses of Biomphalaria pfeifferi to Schistosoma mansoni: Investigation of a neglected African snail that supports more S. mansoni transmission than any other snail species. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005984. [PMID: 29045404 PMCID: PMC5685644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomphalaria pfeifferi is highly compatible with the widespread human-infecting blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni and transmits more cases of this parasite to people than any other snail species. For these reasons, B. pfeifferi is the world's most important vector snail for S. mansoni, yet we know relatively little at the molecular level regarding the interactions between B. pfeifferi and S. mansoni from early-stage sporocyst transformation to the development of cercariae. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We sought to capture a portrait of the response of B. pfeifferi to S. mansoni as it occurs in nature by undertaking Illumina dual RNA-Seq on uninfected control B. pfeifferi and three intramolluscan developmental stages (1- and 3-days post infection and patent, cercariae-producing infections) using field-derived west Kenyan specimens. A high-quality, well-annotated de novo B. pfeifferi transcriptome was assembled from over a half billion non-S. mansoni paired-end reads. Reads associated with potential symbionts were noted. Some infected snails yielded fewer normalized S. mansoni reads and showed different patterns of transcriptional response than others, an indication that the ability of field-derived snails to support and respond to infection is variable. Alterations in transcripts associated with reproduction were noted, including for the oviposition-related hormone ovipostatin and enzymes involved in metabolism of bioactive amines like dopamine or serotonin. Shedding snails exhibited responses consistent with the need for tissue repair. Both generalized stress and immune factors immune factors (VIgLs, PGRPs, BGBPs, complement C1q-like, chitinases) exhibited complex transcriptional responses in this compatible host-parasite system. SIGNIFICANCE This study provides for the first time a large sequence data set to help in interpreting the important vector role of the neglected snail B. pfeifferi in transmission of S. mansoni, including with an emphasis on more natural, field-derived specimens. We have identified B. pfeifferi targets particularly responsive during infection that enable further dissection of the functional role of these candidate molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Buddenborg
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lijing Bu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Faye D. Schilkey
- National Center for Genome Resources, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Gerald M. Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, KEN
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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