RAPD-SCAR marker and genetic relationship analysis of three Demodex species (Acari: Demodicidae)

Cloning, sequencing, expression, and purification of aspartic proteases isolated from two human Demodex species

Aspartic proteases (ASPs) are important hydrolases for parasitic invasion of host tissues or cells. This was the first study on Demodex ASP. First, the complete coding sequence (CDS) was amplified, cloned and sequenced. Then, the protein physical and chemical properties was analysed. Finally, the recombinant plasmid, expression and purification system was established. Results showed that the lengths of CDS of Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis were 1161 and 1173 bp, respectively. The molecular weight of the protein was approximately 40 KDa. It contained an aspartic acid residue, a substrate-binding site and signal peptide, yet lacked a transmembrane domain and was located in the membrane or extracellular matrix. The phylogenetic and conserved motif analyses showed that D. folliculorum and D. brevis clustered separately and then formed a single branch, which finally clustered with other Acariformes species. The prokaryotic expression systems for recombinant ASP with His-tag (rASP-His) and GST-tag (rASP-GST) were constructed. The inclusion bodies of rASP-His were renaturated by gradient urea and purified using NI beads, while those of rASP-GST were renaturated by sarkosyl and Triton X-100 and purified using GST beads. Conclusively, the prokaryotic expression and purification system of Demodex rASP was successfully established for further pathogenic mechanism research.

Molecular identification and phylogenetic relationship of Demodex mites based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA

Background and Objective

Demodex mites are tiny parasites that live around hair follicles of mammals. The two main species of Demodex i.e. Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis present in humans are found near the hair follicles of eyes. The present study was to understand the presence of Demodex mites in people suffering from blepharitis in Amritsar, Punjab.

Material and Methods

Demodex mites samples present in blepharitis patients were isolated from the eyelashes. DNA was isolated from three mites and used for PCR amplification of mitochondrial (mt) 16S rDNA. The amplified PCR product were purified and used for molecular identification.

Results

The amplified mt16s rDNA product was sequenced and subjected to BLAST search in the NCBI database for molecular identification. The identified mite belongs to Demodex folliculorum species. The phylogenetic tree constructed by using mt16s rDNA sequence suggests that D. folliculorum is closer to D. canis than to D. brevis.

Conclusion

All the three isolates belong to D. folliculorum and the mitochondrial DNA 16S rDNA partial sequence is applicable for phylogenetic relationship analysis.

Immune mechanisms in human and canine demodicosis: A review

Demodex mites are saprophytic parasites of the mammalian skin, mostly found in or near pilosebaceous units of hairy regions. While they can be found in healthy humans and animals without causing any clinical manifestations, they were suggested to create pathogenic symptoms when they appear in high densities under favourable conditions (ie, demodicosis). Nevertheless, their role as the primary causative agent of the pathogenic conditions in humans is debated today. Canine demodicosis, which is highly prevalent in certain dog breeds, provides a valuable tool for studying the pathogenesis of human demodicosis. Canine and human demodicosis are caused by different Demodex species, and the clinical manifestations in former could be life-threatening. Nevertheless, current literature suggests similar immune responses and immune evasion mechanisms in human and canine demodicosis; cellular immunity appeared to have a central role in protection against demodicosis, and Demodex mites were shown to influence both innate and adaptive immune response to escape immune attack. The aim of this review is to summarize the relevant literature on demodicosis obtained from studies conducted on both organisms, and draw the attention to the effect of mite-associated factors (eg, microbiota) on the different clinical manifestations displayed during human and canine demodicosis.

LSU rDNA D5 region: the DNA barcode for molecular classification and identification of Demodex

Whether ribosomal genes can be used as DNA barcodes for molecular identification of Demodex (Acariformes: Demodicidae) is unclear. To examine this, Demodex folliculorum, D. brevis, D. canis, and D. caprae were collected for DNA extraction, rDNA fragments amplification, sequencing, and analysis. The V2 and V4 regions of SSU rDNA; D5, D6, and D8 regions of LSU rDNA; and ITS region were obtained from the four morphospecies. BLAST analysis showed that the obtained sequences matched those of Demodex or Aplonobia (Acariformes: Tetranychidae) in Raphignathae. Phylogenetic trees derived from V2, V4, D5, D6, and D8 regions, but not from ITS region, showed that the four species of Demodex clustered independently. Sequence divergence analysis further demonstrated that D5, D6, and D8 regions had obvious barcoding gap between intraspecific and interspecific divergences, with the gap of D5 (16.91%) larger than that of D6 (11.82%) and D8 (4.66%). The V2 and V4 regions did not have a barcoding gap, as the intraspecific and interspecific divergences partially overlapped. For the ITS region, intraspecific and interspecific divergences completely overlapped. These results suggest that the D5, D6, and D8 regions of LSU rDNA, especially D5, are suitable DNA barcodes for Demodex.

DNA barcoding for molecular identification of Demodex based on mitochondrial genes

There has been no widely accepted DNA barcode for species identification of Demodex. In this study, we attempted to solve this issue. First, mitochondrial cox1-5' and 12S gene fragments of Demodex folloculorum, D. brevis, D. canis, and D. caprae were amplified, cloned, and sequenced for the first time; intra/interspecific divergences were computed and phylogenetic trees were reconstructed. Then, divergence frequency distribution plots of those two gene fragments were drawn together with mtDNA cox1-middle region and 16S obtained in previous studies. Finally, their identification efficiency was evaluated by comparing barcoding gap. Results indicated that 12S had the higher identification efficiency. Specifically, for cox1-5' region of the four Demodex species, intraspecific divergences were less than 2.0%, and interspecific divergences were 21.1-31.0%; for 12S, intraspecific divergences were less than 1.4%, and interspecific divergences were 20.8-26.9%. The phylogenetic trees demonstrated that the four Demodex species clustered separately, and divergence frequency distribution plot showed that the largest intraspecific divergence of 12S (1.4%) was less than cox1-5' region (2.0%), cox1-middle region (3.1%), and 16S (2.8%). The barcoding gap of 12S was 19.4%, larger than cox1-5' region (19.1%), cox1-middle region (11.3%), and 16S (13.0%); the interspecific divergence span of 12S was 6.2%, smaller than cox1-5' region (10.0%), cox1-middle region (14.1%), and 16S (11.4%). Moreover, 12S has a moderate length (517 bp) for sequencing at once. Therefore, we proposed mtDNA 12S was more suitable than cox1 and 16S to be a DNA barcode for classification and identification of Demodex at lower category level.

Epigenetic modification in gliomas: role of the histone methyltransferase EZH2

INTRODUCTION

Gliomas are characterized by increased anaplasia, malignization, proliferation and invasion. They exhibit high resistance to standard treatment with combinations of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. They are currently the most common primary malignancy tumors in the brain that is related to a high mortality rate. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that EZH2 is involved in a number of glioma cell processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and angiogenesis.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we emphasize the role of EZH2 in gliomas. We also address that EZH2 interacting with DNA methylation mediates transcriptional repression of specific genes in gliomas, and the regulation of EZH2 by microRNAs in gliomas.

EXPERT OPINION

Although the exact role of EZH2 in gliomas has not been fully elucidated, to understand the role of EZH2 proteins in epigenetic modification will provide valuable insights into the causes of gliomas, and pave the way to the potential future applications of EZH2 in the treatment of gliomas.

Immunology and pathogenesis of canine demodicosis

Demodex mites colonized the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of mammals millions of years ago and have remained relatively unchanged in this protected ecologic niche since then. The host immune system detects and tolerates their presence. Toll-like receptor-2 of keratinocytes has been demonstrated to recognize mite chitin and to elicit an innate immune response. The subsequent acquired immune response is poorly understood at present, but there is experimental and clinical evidence that this is the main mechanism in the control of mite proliferation. A transgenic mouse model (STAT(-/-) /CD28(-/-) ) has demonstrated that the immune response is complex, probably involving both cellular and humoral mechanisms and requiring the role of co-stimulatory molecules (CD28). It is known that a genetic predisposition for developing canine juvenile generalized demodicosis exists; however, the primary defect leading to the disease remains unknown. Once the mite proliferation is advanced, dogs show a phenotype that is similar to the T-cell exhaustion characterized by low interleukin-2 production and high interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β production by lymphocytes, as described in other viral and parasitic diseases. Acaricidal treatment (macrocyclic lactones) decreases the antigenic load and reverses T-cell exhaustion, leading to a clinical cure. Although in recent years there have been significant advances in the management and understanding of this important and complex canine disease, more research in areas such as the aetiology of the genetic predisposition and the immune control of the mite populations is clearly needed.

Discrimination between Demodex folliculorum (Acari: Demodicidae) isolates from China and Spain based on mitochondrial cox1 sequences

For a long time, classification of Demodex mites has been based mainly on their hosts and phenotypic characteristics. A new subspecies of Demodex folliculorum has been proposed, but not confirmed. Here, cox1 partial sequences of nine isolates of three Demodex species from two geographical sources (China and Spain) were studied to conduct molecular identification of D. folliculorum. Sequencing showed that the mitochondrial cox1 fragments of five D. folliculorum isolates from the facial skin of Chinese individuals were 429 bp long and that their sequence identity was 97.4%. The average sequence divergence was 1.24% among the five Chinese isolates, 0.94% between the two geographical isolate groups (China (5) and Spain (1)), and 2.15% between the two facial tissue sources (facial skin (6) and eyelids (1)). The genetic distance and rate of third-position nucleotide transition/transversion were 0.0125, 2.7 (3/1) among the five Chinese isolates, 0.0094, 3.1 (3/1) between the two geographical isolate groups, and 0.0217, 4.4 (3/1) between the two facial tissue sources. Phylogenetic trees showed that D. folliculorum from the two geographical isolate groups did not form sister clades, while those from different facial tissue sources did. According to the molecular characteristics, it appears that subspecies differentiation might not have occurred and that D. folliculorum isolates from the two geographical sources are of the same population. However, population differentiation might be occurring between isolates from facial skin and eyelids.

Phylogenetic relationships in three species of canine Demodex mite based on partial sequences of mitochondrial 16S rDNA

BACKGROUND

The historical classification of Demodex mites has been based on their hosts and morphological features. Genome sequencing has proved to be a very effective taxonomic tool in phylogenetic studies and has been applied in the classification of Demodex. Mitochondrial 16S rDNA has been demonstrated to be an especially useful marker to establish phylogenetic relationships.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

To amplify and sequence a segment of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA from Demodex canis and Demodex injai, as well as from the short-bodied mite called, unofficially, D. cornei and to determine their genetic proximity.

METHODS

Demodex mites were examined microscopically and classified as Demodex folliculorum (one sample), D. canis (four samples), D. injai (two samples) or the short-bodied species D. cornei (three samples). DNA was extracted, and a 338 bp fragment of the 16S rDNA was amplified and sequenced.

RESULTS

The sequences of the four D. canis mites were identical and shared 99.6 and 97.3% identity with two D. canis sequences available at GenBank. The sequences of the D. cornei isolates were identical and showed 97.8, 98.2 and 99.6% identity with the D. canis isolates. The sequences of the two D. injai isolates were also identical and showed 76.6% identity with the D. canis sequence.

CONCLUSION

Demodex canis and D. injai are two different species, with a genetic distance of 23.3%. It would seem that the short-bodied Demodex mite D. cornei is a morphological variant of D. canis.

Cloning and sequence analysis of chitin synthase gene fragments of Demodex mites

To our knowledge, few reports on Demodex studied at the molecular level are available at present. In this study our group, for the first time, cloned, sequenced and analyzed the chitin synthase (CHS) gene fragments of Demodex folliculorum, Demodex brevis, and Demodex canis (three isolates from each species) from Xi'an China, by designing specific primers based on the only partial sequence of the CHS gene of D. canis from Japan, retrieved from GenBank. Results show that amplification was successful only in three D. canis isolates and one D. brevis isolate out of the nine Demodex isolates. The obtained fragments were sequenced to be 339 bp for D. canis and 338 bp for D. brevis. The CHS gene sequence similarities between the three Xi'an D. canis isolates and one Japanese D. canis isolate ranged from 99.7% to 100.0%, and those between four D. canis isolates and one D. brevis isolate were 99.1%-99.4%. Phylogenetic trees based on maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods shared the same clusters, according with the traditional classification. Two open reading frames (ORFs) were identified in each CHS gene sequenced, and their corresponding amino acid sequences were located at the catalytic domain. The relatively conserved sequences could be deduced to be a CHS class A gene, which is associated with chitin synthesis in the integument of Demodex mites.

Sequencing for complete rDNA sequences (18S, ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2, and 28S rDNA) of Demodex and phylogenetic analysis of Acari based on 18S and 28S rDNA

Due to the difficulty of DNA extraction for Demodex, few studies dealt with the identification and the phyletic evolution of Demodex at molecular level. In this study, we amplified, sequenced, and analyzed a complete (Demodex folliculorum) and an almost complete (D12 missing) (Demodex brevis) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence and also analyzed the primary sequences of divergent domains in small-subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of 51 species and in large-subunit rRNA of 43 species from four superfamilies in Acari (Cheyletoidea, Tetranychoidea, Analgoidea, and Ixodoidea). The results revealed that 18S rDNA sequence was relatively conserved in rDNA-coding regions and was not evolving as rapidly as 28S rDNA sequence. The evolutionary rates of transcribed spacer regions were much higher than those of the coding regions. The maximum parsimony trees of 18S and 28S rDNA appeared to be almost identical, consistent with their morphological classification. Based on the fact that the resolution capability of sequence length and the divergence of the 13 segments (D1-D6, D7a, D7b, and D8-D12) of 28S rDNA were stronger than that of the nine variable regions (V1-V9) of 18S rDNA, we were able to identify Demodex (Cheyletoidea) by the indels occurring in D2, D6, and D8.

Phylogenetic relationships in Demodex mites (Acari: Demodicidae) based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA partial sequences

To confirm phylogenetic relationships in Demodex mites based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA partial sequences, mtDNA 16S partial sequences of ten isolates of three Demodex species from China were amplified, recombined, and sequenced and then analyzed with two Demodex folliculorum isolates from Spain. Lastly, genetic distance was computed, and phylogenetic tree was reconstructed. MEGA 4.0 analysis showed high sequence identity among 16S rDNA partial sequences of three Demodex species, which were 95.85 % in D. folliculorum, 98.53 % in Demodex canis, and 99.71 % in Demodex brevis. The divergence, genetic distance, and transition/transversions of the three Demodex species reached interspecies level, whereas there was no significant difference of the divergence (1.1 %), genetic distance (0.011), and transition/transversions (3/1) of the two geographic D. folliculorum isolates (Spain and China). Phylogenetic trees reveal that the three Demodex species formed three separate branches of one clade, where D. folliculorum and D. canis gathered first, and then gathered with D. brevis. The two Spain and five China D. folliculorum isolates did not form sister clades. In conclusion, 16S mtDNA are suitable for phylogenetic relationship analysis in low taxa (genus or species), but not for intraspecies determination of Demodex. The differentiation among the three Demodex species has reached interspecies level.