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Fiuza BSD, Fonseca HF, Meirelles PM, Marques CR, da Silva TM, Figueiredo CA. Understanding Asthma and Allergies by the Lens of Biodiversity and Epigenetic Changes. Front Immunol 2021; 12:623737. [PMID: 33732246 PMCID: PMC7957070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.623737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to different organisms (bacteria, mold, virus, protozoan, helminths, among others) can induce epigenetic changes affecting the modulation of immune responses and consequently increasing the susceptibility to inflammatory diseases. Epigenomic regulatory features are highly affected during embryonic development and are responsible for the expression or repression of different genes associated with cell development and targeting/conducting immune responses. The well-known, "window of opportunity" that includes maternal and post-natal environmental exposures, which include maternal infections, microbiota, diet, drugs, and pollutant exposures are of fundamental importance to immune modulation and these events are almost always accompanied by epigenetic changes. Recently, it has been shown that these alterations could be involved in both risk and protection of allergic diseases through mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, which can enhance Th2 responses and maintain memory Th2 cells or decrease Treg cells differentiation. In addition, epigenetic changes may differ according to the microbial agent involved and may even influence different asthma or allergy phenotypes. In this review, we discuss how exposure to different organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and helminths can lead to epigenetic modulations and how this correlates with allergic diseases considering different genetic backgrounds of several ancestral populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pedro Milet Meirelles
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Estudos Interdisciplinares e Transdisciplinares em Ecologia e Evolução (IN-TREE), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Cintia Rodrigues Marques
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
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Elucidating the molecular and developmental biology of parasitic nematodes: Moving to a multiomics paradigm. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 108:175-229. [PMID: 32291085 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past two decades, significant progress has been made in the sequencing, assembly, annotation and analyses of genomes and transcriptomes of parasitic worms of socioeconomic importance. This progress has somewhat improved our knowledge and understanding of these pathogens at the molecular level. However, compared with the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the areas of functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics of parasitic nematodes are still in their infancy, and there are major gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the molecular biology of parasitic nematodes. The information on signalling molecules, molecular pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) that are known to be involved in developmental processes in C. elegans and the availability of some molecular resources (draft genomes, transcriptomes and some proteomes) for selected parasitic nematodes provide a basis to start exploring the developmental biology of parasitic nematodes. Indeed, some studies have identified molecules and pathways that might associate with developmental processes in related, parasitic nematodes, such as Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm). However, detailed information is often scant and 'omics resources are limited, preventing a proper integration of 'omic data sets and comprehensive analyses. Moreover, little is known about the functional roles of pheromones, hormones, signalling pathways and post-transcriptional/post-translational regulations in the development of key parasitic nematodes throughout their entire life cycles. Although C. elegans is an excellent model to assist molecular studies of parasitic nematodes, its use is limited when it comes to explorations of processes that are specific to parasitism within host animals. A deep understanding of parasitic nematodes, such as H. contortus, requires substantially enhanced resources and the use of integrative 'omics approaches for analyses. The improved genome and well-established in vitro larval culture system for H. contortus provide unprecedented opportunities for comprehensive studies of the transcriptomes (mRNA and miRNA), proteomes (somatic, excretory/secretory and phosphorylated proteins) and lipidomes (e.g., polar and neutral lipids) of this nematode. Such resources should enable in-depth explorations of its developmental biology at a level, not previously possible. The main aims of this review are (i) to provide a background on the development of nematodes, with a particular emphasis on the molecular aspects involved in the dauer formation and exit in C. elegans; (ii) to critically appraise the current state of knowledge of the developmental biology of parasitic nematodes and identify key knowledge gaps; (iii) to cover salient aspects of H. contortus, with a focus on the recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and lipidomics as well as in vitro culturing systems; (iv) to review recent advances in our knowledge and understanding of the molecular and developmental biology of H. contortus using an integrative multiomics approach, and discuss the implications of this approach for detailed explorations of signalling molecules, molecular processes and pathways likely associated with nematode development, adaptation and parasitism, and for the identification of novel intervention targets against these pathogens. Clearly, the multiomics approach established recently is readily applicable to exploring a wide range of interesting and socioeconomically significant parasitic worms (including also trematodes and cestodes) at the molecular level, and to elucidate host-parasite interactions and disease processes.
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Structure-function studies of the asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase from Fasciola gigantica: understanding the role of catalytic and non-catalytic domains. Biochem J 2018; 475:3377-3391. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (NRS) catalyzes the attachment of asparagine to its cognate tRNA during translation. NRS first catalyzes the binding of Asn and ATP to form the NRS-asparaginyl adenylate complex, followed by the esterification of Asn to its tRNA. We investigated the role of constituent domains in regulating the structure and activity of Fasciola gigantica NRS (FgNRS). We cloned the full-length FgNRS, along with its various truncated forms, expressed, and purified the corresponding proteins. Size exclusion chromatography indicated a role of the anticodon-binding domain (ABD) of FgNRS in protein dimerization. The N-terminal domain (NTD) was not essential for cognate tRNA binding, and the hinge region between the ABD and the C-terminal domain (CTD) was crucial for regulating the enzymatic activity. Molecular docking and fluorescence quenching experiments elucidated the binding affinities of the substrates to various domains. The molecular dynamics simulation of the modeled protein showed the presence of an unstructured region between the NTD and ABD that exhibited a large number of conformations over time, and further analysis indicated this region to be intrinsically disordered. The present study provides information on the structural and functional regulation, protein-substrate(s) interactions and dynamics, and the role of non-catalytic domains in regulating the activity of FgNRS.
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Gao JF, Gao Y, Qiu JH, Chang QC, Zhang Y, Fang M, Wang CR. De novo assembly and functional annotations of the transcriptome of Metorchis orientalis (trematoda: Opisthorchiidae). Exp Parasitol 2017; 184:90-96. [PMID: 29225048 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Metorchis orientalis is a neglected zoonotic parasite, living in the gallbladder and bile duct of poultry and some mammals as well as humans. In spite of its economic and medical importance, the information known about the transcriptome and genome of M. orientalis is limited. In this study, we performed de novo sequencing, transcriptome assembly and functional annotations of the adult M. orientalis, obtained about 77.4 million high-quality clean reads, among which the length of the transcript contigs ranged from 100 to 11,249 nt with mean length of 373 nt and N50 length of 919 nt. We then assembled 31,943 unigenes, of which 20,009 (62.6%) were annotated by BLASTn and BLASTx searches against the available database. Among these unigenes, 19,795 (62.0%), 3407 (10.7%), 10,620 (33.2%) of them had significant similarity in the NR, NT and Swiss-Prot databases, respectively; 5744 (18.0%) and 4678 (14.6%) unigenes were assigned to GO and COG, respectively; and 9099 (28.5%) unigenes were identified and mapped onto 256 pathways in the KEGG Pathway database. Furthermore, we found that 98 (1.08%) unigenes were related to bile secretion and 5 (0.05%) to primary bile acid biosynthesis pathways category. The characterization of these transcriptomic data has implications for the better understanding of the biology of M. orientalis, and will facilitate the development of intervention agents for this and other pathogenic flukes of human and animal health significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Feng Gao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, PR China; Department of Parasitology, Heilongjiang Institute of Veterinary Science, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Yuan Gao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, PR China
| | - Jian-Hua Qiu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, PR China
| | - Qiao-Cheng Chang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, PR China
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, PR China
| | - Ming Fang
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, PR China.
| | - Chun-Ren Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, PR China; College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, PR China.
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Vijayakumar R, Tripathi T. Soluble expression and purification of a full-length asparaginyl tRNA synthetase from Fasciola gigantica. Protein Expr Purif 2017; 143:9-13. [PMID: 29031680 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report the molecular cloning, expression, and single-step homogeneous purification of a full-length asparaginyl tRNA synthetase (NRS) from Fasciola gigantica (FgNRS). Fasciola gigantica is a parasitic liver fluke of the class Trematoda. It causes fascioliasis that infects the liver of various mammals, including humans. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (AARS) catalyze the first step of protein synthesis. They attach an amino acid to its cognate tRNA, forming an amino acid-tRNA complex. The gene that codes for FgNRS was generated by amplification by polymerase chain reaction. It was then inserted in the expression vector pQE30 under the transcriptional control of the bacteriophage T5 promoter and lac operator. M15 Escherichia coli strain transformed with the FgNRS expression vector pQE30-NRS accumulates large amounts of a soluble protein of about 61 kDa. The protein was purified to homogeneity using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. The recombinant protein was further confirmed by immunoblotting with anti-His antibody. Following size exclusion chromatography, the FgNRS was stable and observed to be a dimeric protein. In this study, the expression and purification procedures have provided a simple and efficient method to obtain full-length FgNRS in large quantities. This will provide an opportunity to study the structure, dynamics and function of NRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vijayakumar
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India.
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Niche-specific gene expression in a parasitic nematode; increased expression of immunomodulators in Teladorsagia circumcincta larvae derived from host mucosa. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7214. [PMID: 28775251 PMCID: PMC5543109 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07092-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Metazoan parasites have to survive in many different niches in order to complete their life-cycles. In the absence of reliable methods to manipulate parasite genomes and/or proteomes, identification of the molecules critical for parasite survival within these niches has largely depended on comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of different developmental stages of the parasite; however, changes may reflect differences associated with transition between developmental stages rather than specific adaptations to a particular niche. In this study, we compared the transcriptome of two fourth-stage larval populations of the nematode parasite, Teladorsagia circumcincta, which were of the same developmental stage but differed in their location within the abomasum, being either mucosal-dwelling (MD) or lumen-dwelling (LD). Using RNAseq, we identified 57 transcripts which were significantly differentially expressed between MD and LD larvae. Of these transcripts, the majority (54/57) were up-regulated in MD larvae, one of which encoded for an ShKT-domain containing protein, Tck6, capable of modulating ovine T cell cytokine responses. Other differentially expressed transcripts included homologues of ASP-like proteins, proteases, or excretory-secretory proteins of unknown function. Our study demonstrates the utility of niche- rather than stage-specific analysis of parasite transcriptomes to identify parasite molecules of potential importance for survival within the host.
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Zhang XX, Cong W, Elsheikha HM, Liu GH, Ma JG, Huang WY, Zhao Q, Zhu XQ. De novo transcriptome sequencing and analysis of the juvenile and adult stages of Fasciola gigantica. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 51:33-40. [PMID: 28286139 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Fasciola gigantica is regarded as the major liver fluke causing fasciolosis in livestock in tropical countries. Despite the significant economic and public health impacts of F. gigantica there are few studies on the pathogenesis of this parasite and our understanding is further limited by the lack of genome and transcriptome information. In this study, de novo Illumina RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to obtain a comprehensive transcriptome profile of the juvenile (42days post infection) and adult stages of F. gigantica. A total of 49,720 unigenes were produced from juvenile and adult stages of F. gigantica, with an average length of 1286 nucleotides (nt) and N50 of 2076nt. A total of 27,862 (56.03%) unigenes were annotated by BLAST similarity searches against the NCBI non-redundant protein database. Because F. gigantica needs to feed and/or digest host tissues, some proteases (including cysteine proteases and aspartic proteases), which play a role in the degradation of host tissues (protein), have been paid more attention in the present study. A total of 6511 distinct genes were found differentially expressed between juveniles and adults, of which 3993 genes were up-regulated and 2518 genes were down-regulated in adults versus juveniles, respectively. Moreover, stage-specific differentially expressed genes were identified in juvenile (17,009) and adult (6517) F. gigantica. The significantly divergent pathways of differentially expressed genes included cAMP signaling pathway (226; 4.12%), proteoglycans in cancer (256; 4.67%) and focal adhesion (199; 3.63%). The transcription pattern also revealed two egg-laying-associated pathways: cGMP-PKG signaling pathway and TGF-β signaling pathway. This study provides the first comparative transcriptomic data concerning juvenile and adult stages of F. gigantica that will be of great value for future research efforts into understanding parasite pathogenesis and developing vaccines against this important parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xuan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Wei Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China; College of Marine Science, Shandong University at Weihai, Weihai, Shandong Province 264209, PR China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, PR China
| | - Jian-Gang Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Wei-Yi Huang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530005, PR China
| | - Quan Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, PR China.
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Nascimento Santos L, Carvalho Pacheco LG, Silva Pinheiro C, Alcantara-Neves NM. Recombinant proteins of helminths with immunoregulatory properties and their possible therapeutic use. Acta Trop 2017; 166:202-211. [PMID: 27871775 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The inverse relationship between helminth infections and the development of immune-mediated diseases is a cornerstone of the hygiene hypothesis and studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanisms by which helminth-derived molecules can suppress immunological disorders. These studies have fostered the idea that parasitic worms may be used as a promising therapeutic alternative for prevention and treatment of immune-mediated diseases. We discuss the current approaches for identification of helminth proteins with potential immunoregulatory properties, including the strategies based on high-throughput technologies. We also explore the methodological approaches and expression systems used for production of the recombinant forms of more than 20 helminth immunomodulatory proteins, besides their performances when evaluated as immunotherapeutic molecules to treat different immune-mediated conditions, including asthma and inflammatory bowel diseases. Finally, we discuss the perspectives of using these parasite-derived recombinant molecules as tools for future immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis of human inflammatory diseases.
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Gadahi JA, Wang S, Bo G, Ehsan M, Yan R, Song X, Xu L, Li X. Proteomic Analysis of the Excretory and Secretory Proteins of Haemonchus contortus (HcESP) Binding to Goat PBMCs In Vivo Revealed Stage-Specific Binding Profiles. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159796. [PMID: 27467391 PMCID: PMC4965049 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Haemonchus contortus is a parasitic gastrointestinal nematode, and its excretory and secretory products (HcESPs) interact extensively with the host cells. In this study, we report the interaction of proteins from HcESPs at different developmental stages to goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vivo using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 407 HcESPs that interacted with goat PBMCs at different time points were identified from a H. contortus protein database using SEQUEST searches. The L4 and L5 stages of H. contortus represented a higher proportion of the identified proteins compared with the early and late adult stages. Both stage-specific interacting proteins and proteins that were common to multiple stages were identified. Forty-seven interacting proteins were shared among all stages. The gene ontology (GO) distributions of the identified goat PBMC-interacting proteins were nearly identical among all developmental stages, with high representation of binding and catalytic activity. Cellular, metabolic and single-organism processes were also annotated as major biological processes, but interestingly, more proteins were annotated as localization processes at the L5 stage than at the L4 and adult stages. Based on the clustering of homologous proteins, we improved the functional annotations of un-annotated proteins identified at different developmental stages. Some unnamed H. contortus ATP-binding cassette proteins, including ADP-ribosylation factor and P-glycoprotein-9, were identified by STRING protein clustering analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javaid Ali Gadahi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Shuai Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Gao Bo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Muhammad Ehsan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - RuoFeng Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - XiaoKai Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - LiXin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - XiangRui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
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Santos LN, Silva ES, Santos AS, De Sá PH, Ramos RT, Silva A, Cooper PJ, Barreto ML, Loureiro S, Pinheiro CS, Alcantara-Neves NM, Pacheco LGC. De novo assembly and characterization of the Trichuris trichiura adult worm transcriptome using Ion Torrent sequencing. Acta Trop 2016; 159:132-41. [PMID: 27038556 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Infection with helminthic parasites, including the soil-transmitted helminth Trichuris trichiura (human whipworm), has been shown to modulate host immune responses and, consequently, to have an impact on the development and manifestation of chronic human inflammatory diseases. De novo derivation of helminth proteomes from sequencing of transcriptomes will provide valuable data to aid identification of parasite proteins that could be evaluated as potential immunotherapeutic molecules in near future. Herein, we characterized the transcriptome of the adult stage of the human whipworm T. trichiura, using next-generation sequencing technology and a de novo assembly strategy. Nearly 17.6 million high-quality clean reads were assembled into 6414 contiguous sequences, with an N50 of 1606bp. In total, 5673 protein-encoding sequences were confidentially identified in the T. trichiura adult worm transcriptome; of these, 1013 sequences represent potential newly discovered proteins for the species, most of which presenting orthologs already annotated in the related species T. suis. A number of transcripts representing probable novel non-coding transcripts for the species T. trichiura were also identified. Among the most abundant transcripts, we found sequences that code for proteins involved in lipid transport, such as vitellogenins, and several chitin-binding proteins. Through a cross-species expression analysis of gene orthologs shared by T. trichiura and the closely related parasites T. suis and T. muris it was possible to find twenty-six protein-encoding genes that are consistently highly expressed in the adult stages of the three helminth species. Additionally, twenty transcripts could be identified that code for proteins previously detected by mass spectrometry analysis of protein fractions of the whipworm somatic extract that present immunomodulatory activities. Five of these transcripts were amongst the most highly expressed protein-encoding sequences in the T. trichiura adult worm. Besides, orthologs of proteins demonstrated to have potent immunomodulatory properties in related parasitic helminths were also predicted from the T. trichiura de novo assembled transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo N Santos
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Eduardo S Silva
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - André S Santos
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Pablo H De Sá
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rommel T Ramos
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Artur Silva
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Philip J Cooper
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George's University of London, London, UK; Centro de Investigacion en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Cronicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Maurício L Barreto
- Institute of Public Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Muniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Sebastião Loureiro
- Institute of Public Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Carina S Pinheiro
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | | | - Luis G C Pacheco
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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Liu GH, Xu MJ, Chang QC, Gao JF, Wang CR, Zhu XQ. De novo transcriptomic analysis of the female and male adults of the blood fluke Schistosoma turkestanicum. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:143. [PMID: 26968659 PMCID: PMC4788885 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1436-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosoma turkestanicum is a parasite of considerable veterinary importance as an agent of animal schistosomiasis in many countries, including China. The S. turkestanicum cercariae can also infect humans, causing cercarial dermatitis in many countries and regions of the world. In spite of its significance as a pathogen of animals and humans, there is little transcriptomic and genomic data in the public databases. Methods Herein, we performed the transcriptome Illumina RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of adult males and females of S. turkestanicum and de novo transcriptome assembly. Results Approximately 81.1 (female) and 80.5 (male) million high-quality clean reads were obtained and then 29,526 (female) and 41,346 (male) unigenes were assembled. A total of 34,624 unigenes were produced from S. turkestanicum females and males, with an average length of 878 nucleotides (nt) and N50 of 1480 nt. Of these unigenes, 25,158 (72.7 %) were annotated by blast searches against the NCBI non-redundant protein database. Among these, 21,995 (63.5 %), 22,189 (64.1 %) and 13,754 (39.7 %) of the unigenes had significant similarity in the NCBI non-redundant protein (NR), non-redundant nucleotide (NT) and Swiss-Prot databases, respectively. In addition, 3150 unigenes were identified to be expressed specifically in females and 1014 unigenes were identified to be expressed specifically in males. Interestingly, several pathways associated with gonadal development and sex maintenance were found, including the Wnt signaling pathway (103; 2 %) and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation (77; 1.5 %). Conclusions The present study characterized and compared the transcriptomes of adult female and male blood fluke, S. turkestanicum. These results will not only serve as valuable resources for future functional genomics studies to understand the molecular aspects of S. turkestanicum, but also will provide essential information for ongoing whole genome sequencing efforts on this pathogenic blood fluke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China
| | - Min-Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China.,College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, PR China
| | - Qiao-Cheng Chang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Jun-Feng Gao
- Department of Parasitology, Heilongjiang Institute of Veterinary Science, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, 161006, PR China
| | - Chun-Ren Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China. .,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China.
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12
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Liu GH, Xu MJ, Song HQ, Wang CR, Zhu XQ. De novo assembly and characterization of the transcriptome of the pancreatic fluke Eurytrema pancreaticum (trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae) using Illumina paired-end sequencing. Gene 2015; 576:333-8. [PMID: 26494161 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Eurytrema pancreaticum is one of the most common trematodes living in the pancreatic and bile ducts of ruminants and also occasionally infects humans, causing eurytremiasis. In spite of its economic and medical importance, very little is known about the genomic resources of this parasite. Herein, we performed de novo sequencing, assembly and characterization of the transcriptome of adult E. pancreaticum. Approximately 36.4 million high-quality clean reads were obtained, and the length of the transcript contigs ranged from 66 to 19,968 nt with mean length of 479 nt and N50 length of 1094 nt, and then 23,573 unigenes were assembled. Of these unigenes, 15,353 (65.1%) were annotated by blast searches against the NCBI non-redundant protein database. Among these, 15,267 (64.8%), 2732 (11.6%) and 10,354 (43.9%) of the unigenes had significant similarity with proteins in the NR, NT and Swiss-Prot databases, respectively. 5510 (23.4%) and 4567 (19.4%) unigenes were assigned to GO and COG, respectively. 8886 (37.7%) unigenes were identified and mapped onto 254 pathways in the KEGG Pathway database. Furthermore, we found that 105 (1.18%) unigenes were related to pancreatic secretion and 61 (0.7%) to pancreatic cancer. The present study represents the first transcriptome of any members of the family Dicrocoeliidae, which has little genomic information available in the public databases. The novel transcriptome of E. pancreaticum should provide a useful resource for designing new strategies against pancreatic flukes and other trematodes of human and animal health significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Min-Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Hui-Qun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Chun-Ren Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, PR China.
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13
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Fontenla S, Dell'Oca N, Smircich P, Tort JF, Siles-Lucas M. The miRnome of Fasciola hepatica juveniles endorses the existence of a reduced set of highly divergent micro RNAs in parasitic flatworms. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:901-13. [PMID: 26432296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is a foodborne zoonotic parasite affecting livestock worldwide, with increasing relevance in human health. The first developmental stage that the host meets after ingestion of the parasite is the newly excysted juvenile, that actively transverses the gut wall and migrates to its final location in the liver. The regulation of the early developmental events in newly excysted juveniles is still poorly understood and a relevant target for control strategies. Here we investigated the putative involvement of small regulatory RNAs in the invasion process. The small RNA population of the newly excysted juvenile fall into two classes, one represented by micro (mi)RNAs and a secondary group of larger (32-33 nucleotides) tRNA-derived sequences. We identified 40 different miRNAs, most of those belonging to ancient miRNAs conserved in protostomes and metazoans, notably with a highly predominant miR-125b variant. Remarkably, several protostomian and metazoan conserved families were not detected in consonance with previous reports of drastic miRnome reduction in parasitic flatworms. Additionally, a set of five novel miRNAs was identified, probably associated with specific gene regulation expression needs in F. hepatica. While sequence conservation in mature miRNA is high across the metazoan tree, we observed that flatworm miRNAs are more divergent, suggesting that mutation rates in parasitic flatworms could be high. Finally, the distinctive presence of tRNA-derived sequences, mostly 5' tRNA halves of selected tRNAs in the small RNA population of newly excysted juveniles, raises the possibility that both miRNA and tRNA fragments participate in the regulation of gene expression in this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Fontenla
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nicolás Dell'Oca
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Smircich
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay; Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - José F Tort
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Mar Siles-Lucas
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Salamanca, Spain
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14
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Cantacessi C, Hofmann A, Campbell BE, Gasser RB. Impact of next-generation technologies on exploring socioeconomically important parasites and developing new interventions. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1247:437-474. [PMID: 25399114 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2004-4_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput molecular and computer technologies have become instrumental for systems biological explorations of pathogens, including parasites. For instance, investigations of the transcriptomes of different developmental stages of parasitic nematodes give insights into gene expression, regulation and function in a parasite, which is a significant step to understanding their biology, as well as interactions with their host(s) and disease. This chapter (1) gives a background on some key parasitic nematodes of socioeconomic importance, (2) describes sequencing and bioinformatic technologies for large-scale studies of the transcriptomes and genomes of these parasites, (3) provides some recent examples of applications and (4) emphasizes the prospects of fundamental biological explorations of parasites using these technologies for the development of new interventions to combat parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
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15
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Kotze AC, Hunt PW, Skuce P, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Martin RJ, Sager H, Krücken J, Hodgkinson J, Lespine A, Jex AR, Gilleard JS, Beech RN, Wolstenholme AJ, Demeler J, Robertson AP, Charvet CL, Neveu C, Kaminsky R, Rufener L, Alberich M, Menez C, Prichard RK. Recent advances in candidate-gene and whole-genome approaches to the discovery of anthelmintic resistance markers and the description of drug/receptor interactions. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2014; 4:164-84. [PMID: 25516826 PMCID: PMC4266812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2014.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Anthelmintic resistance has a great impact on livestock production systems worldwide, is an emerging concern in companion animal medicine, and represents a threat to our ongoing ability to control human soil-transmitted helminths. The Consortium for Anthelmintic Resistance and Susceptibility (CARS) provides a forum for scientists to meet and discuss the latest developments in the search for molecular markers of anthelmintic resistance. Such markers are important for detecting drug resistant worm populations, and indicating the likely impact of the resistance on drug efficacy. The molecular basis of resistance is also important for understanding how anthelmintics work, and how drug resistant populations arise. Changes to target receptors, drug efflux and other biological processes can be involved. This paper reports on the CARS group meeting held in August 2013 in Perth, Australia. The latest knowledge on the development of molecular markers for resistance to each of the principal classes of anthelmintics is reviewed. The molecular basis of resistance is best understood for the benzimidazole group of compounds, and we examine recent work to translate this knowledge into useful diagnostics for field use. We examine recent candidate-gene and whole-genome approaches to understanding anthelmintic resistance and identify markers. We also look at drug transporters in terms of providing both useful markers for resistance, as well as opportunities to overcome resistance through the targeting of the transporters themselves with inhibitors. Finally, we describe the tools available for the application of the newest high-throughput sequencing technologies to the study of anthelmintic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Kotze
- CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter W. Hunt
- CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Philip Skuce
- Parasitology Division, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, UK
| | | | - Richard J. Martin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Heinz Sager
- Novartis Centre de Recherche Sante Animale, St. Aubin, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitat Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jane Hodgkinson
- Veterinary Parasitology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anne Lespine
- INRA, Toxalim, Research Centre in Food Toxicology, Toulouse, France
| | - Aaron R. Jex
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John S. Gilleard
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Robin N. Beech
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, QC, Canada
| | - Adrian J. Wolstenholme
- Department of Infectious Diseases & Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Disease, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Janina Demeler
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitat Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alan P. Robertson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Claude L. Charvet
- INRA, Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Tours, France
| | - Cedric Neveu
- INRA, Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Tours, France
| | - Ronald Kaminsky
- Novartis Centre de Recherche Sante Animale, St. Aubin, Switzerland
| | - Lucien Rufener
- Novartis Centre de Recherche Sante Animale, St. Aubin, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Alberich
- INRA, Toxalim, Research Centre in Food Toxicology, Toulouse, France
| | - Cecile Menez
- INRA, Toxalim, Research Centre in Food Toxicology, Toulouse, France
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16
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Rinaldi G, Young ND, Honeycutt JD, Brindley PJ, Gasser RB, Hsieh MH. New research tools for urogenital schistosomiasis. J Infect Dis 2014; 211:861-9. [PMID: 25240172 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 200,000,000 people have schistosomiasis (schistosome infection). Among the schistosomes, Schistosoma haematobium is responsible for the most infections, which are present in 110 million people globally, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. This pathogen causes an astonishing breadth of sequelae: hematuria, anemia, dysuria, stunting, uremia, bladder cancer, urosepsis, and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection. Refined estimates of the impact of schistosomiasis on quality of life suggest that it rivals malaria. Despite S. haematobium's importance, relevant research has lagged. Here, we review advances that will deepen knowledge of S. haematobium. Three sets of breakthroughs will accelerate discoveries in the pathogenesis of urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS): (1) comparative genomics, (2) the development of functional genomic tools, and (3) the use of animal models to explore S. haematobium-host interactions. Comparative genomics for S. haematobium is feasible, given the sequencing of multiple schistosome genomes. Features of the S. haematobium genome that are conserved among platyhelminth species and others that are unique to S. haematobium may provide novel diagnostic and drug targets for UGS. Although there are technical hurdles, the integrated use of these approaches can elucidate host-pathogen interactions during this infection and can inform the development of techniques for investigating schistosomes in their human and snail hosts and the development of therapeutics and vaccines for the control of UGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Rinaldi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, D.C
| | - Neil D Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Paul J Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, D.C
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael H Hsieh
- Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, Maryland Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C
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17
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Semmling B, Nagel S, Sternberg K, Weitschies W, Seidlitz A. Impact of different tissue-simulating hydrogel compartments on in vitro release and distribution from drug-eluting stents. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2014; 87:570-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2014.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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18
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Shi Y, Toet H, Rathinasamy V, Young ND, Gasser RB, Beddoe T, Huang W, Spithill TW. First insight into CD59-like molecules of adult Fasciola hepatica. Exp Parasitol 2014; 144:57-64. [PMID: 24955521 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study focussed on investigating CD59-like molecules of Fasciola hepatica. A cDNA encoding a CD59-like protein (termed FhCD59-1) identified previously in the membrane fraction of the F. hepatica tegument was isolated. This homologue was shown to encode a predicted open reading frame (ORF) of 122 amino acids (aa) orthologous to human CD59 with a 25 aa signal peptide, a mature protein containing 10 cysteines and a conserved CD59/Ly-6 family motif "CCXXXXCN". An analysis of cDNAs from two different adult specimens of F. hepatica revealed seven variable types of FhCD59-1 sequences, designated FhCD59-1.1 to FhCD59-1.7, which had 94.3-99.7% amino acid sequence identity upon pairwise comparison. Molecular modeling of FhCD59-1.1 with human CD59 confirmed the presence of the three-finger protein domain found in the CD59 family and predicted three disulphide bonds in the F. hepatica sequence. The interrogation of F. hepatica databases identified two additional sequences, designated FhCD59-2 and FhCD59-3, which had only 23.4-29.5% amino acid identity to FhCD59-1.1. Orthologues of the inferred CD59 protein sequences of F. hepatica were also identified in other flatworms, including Fasciola gigantica, Fascioloides magna, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni, Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus and the free living Schmidtea mediterannea. The results revealed a considerable degree of sequence complexity in the CD59-like sequence families in F. hepatica and flatworms. Phylogenetic analysis of CD59-like aa sequences from F. hepatica and flatworms showed that FhCD59-2 clustered with the known surface-associated protein SmCD59-2 of S. mansoni. Relatively well-supported clades specific to schistosomes, fasciolids and opisthorchiids were identified. The qPCR analysis of gene transcription showed that the relative expression of these 3 FhCD59-like sequences varied by 11-47-fold during fluke maturation, from the newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) to the adult stage. These findings suggest that different FhCD59-like sequences play distinct roles during the development of F. hepatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunliang Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China; Department of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Hayley Toet
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Vignesh Rathinasamy
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Travis Beddoe
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Weiyi Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China.
| | - Terry W Spithill
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.
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19
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Mangiola S, Young ND, Sternberg PW, Strube C, Korhonen PK, Mitreva M, Scheerlinck JP, Hofmann A, Jex AR, Gasser RB. Analysis of the transcriptome of adult Dictyocaulus filaria and comparison with Dictyocaulus viviparus, with a focus on molecules involved in host-parasite interactions. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:251-61. [PMID: 24487001 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes cause diseases of major economic importance in animals. Key representatives are species of Dictyocaulus (=lungworms), which cause bronchitis (=dictyocaulosis, commonly known as "husk") and have a major adverse impact on the health of livestock. In spite of their economic importance, very little is known about the immunomolecular biology of these parasites. Here, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the adult transcriptome of Dictyocaulus filaria of small ruminants and compared it with that of Dictyocaulus viviparus of bovids. We then identified a subset of highly transcribed molecules inferred to be linked to host-parasite interactions, including cathepsin B peptidases, fatty-acid and/or retinol-binding proteins, β-galactoside-binding galectins, secreted protein 6 precursors, macrophage migration inhibitory factors, glutathione peroxidases, a transthyretin-like protein and a type 2-like cystatin. We then studied homologues of D. filaria type 2-like cystatin encoded in D. viviparus and 24 other nematodes representing seven distinct taxonomic orders, with a particular focus on their proposed role in immunomodulation and/or metabolism. Taken together, the present study provides new insights into nematode-host interactions. The findings lay the foundation for future experimental studies and could have implications for designing new interventions against lungworms and other parasitic nematodes. The future characterisation of the genomes of Dictyocaulus spp. should underpin these endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mangiola
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Paul W Sternberg
- HHMI, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Andreas Hofmann
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Eskitis Institute for Cell & Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Aaron R Jex
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
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20
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Jex AR, Koehler AV, Ansell BR, Baker L, Karunajeewa H, Gasser RB. Getting to the guts of the matter: The status and potential of ‘omics’ research of parasitic protists of the human gastrointestinal system. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:971-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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21
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Ansell BRE, Schnyder M, Deplazes P, Korhonen PK, Young ND, Hall RS, Mangiola S, Boag PR, Hofmann A, Sternberg PW, Jex AR, Gasser RB. Insights into the immuno-molecular biology of Angiostrongylus vasorum through transcriptomics--prospects for new interventions. Biotechnol Adv 2013; 31:1486-500. [PMID: 23895945 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus vasorum is a metastrongyloid nematode of dogs and other canids of major clinical importance in many countries. In order to gain first insights into the molecular biology of this worm, we conducted the first large-scale exploration of its transcriptome, and predicted essential molecules linked to metabolic and biological processes as well as host immune responses. We also predicted and prioritized drug targets and drug candidates. Following Illumina sequencing (RNA-seq), 52.3 million sequence reads representing adult A. vasorum were assembled and annotated. The assembly yielded 20,033 contigs, which encoded proteins with 11,505 homologues in Caenorhabditis elegans, and additional 2252 homologues in various other parasitic helminths for which curated data sets were publicly available. Functional annotation was achieved for 11,752 (58.6%) proteins predicted for A. vasorum, including peptidases (4.5%) and peptidase inhibitors (1.6%), protein kinases (1.7%), G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (1.5%) and phosphatases (1.2%). Contigs encoding excretory/secretory and immuno-modulatory proteins represented some of the most highly transcribed molecules, and encoded enzymes that digest haemoglobin were conserved between A. vasorum and other blood-feeding nematodes. Using an essentiality-based approach, drug targets, including neurotransmitter receptors, an important chemosensory ion channel and cysteine proteinase-3 were predicted in A. vasorum, as were associated small molecular inhibitors/activators. Future transcriptomic analyses of all developmental stages of A. vasorum should facilitate deep explorations of the molecular biology of this important parasitic nematode and support the sequencing of its genome. These advances will provide a foundation for exploring immuno-molecular aspects of angiostrongylosis and have the potential to underpin the discovery of new methods of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan R E Ansell
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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22
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Cantacessi C, Hofmann A, Pickering D, Navarro S, Mitreva M, Loukas A. TIMPs of parasitic helminths - a large-scale analysis of high-throughput sequence datasets. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:156. [PMID: 23721526 PMCID: PMC3679795 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs) are a multifunctional family of proteins that orchestrate extracellular matrix turnover, tissue remodelling and other cellular processes. In parasitic helminths, such as hookworms, TIMPs have been proposed to play key roles in the host-parasite interplay, including invasion of and establishment in the vertebrate animal hosts. Currently, knowledge of helminth TIMPs is limited to a small number of studies on canine hookworms, whereas no information is available on the occurrence of TIMPs in other parasitic helminths causing neglected diseases. METHODS In the present study, we conducted a large-scale investigation of TIMP proteins of a range of neglected human parasites including the hookworm Necator americanus, the roundworm Ascaris suum, the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini, as well as the schistosome blood flukes. This entailed mining available transcriptomic and/or genomic sequence datasets for the presence of homologues of known TIMPs, predicting secondary structures of defined protein sequences, systematic phylogenetic analyses and assessment of differential expression of genes encoding putative TIMPs in the developmental stages of A. suum, N. americanus and Schistosoma haematobium which infect the mammalian hosts. RESULTS A total of 15 protein sequences with high homology to known eukaryotic TIMPs were predicted from the complement of sequence data available for parasitic helminths and subjected to in-depth bioinformatic analyses. CONCLUSIONS Supported by the availability of gene manipulation technologies such as RNA interference and/or transgenesis, this work provides a basis for future functional explorations of helminth TIMPs and, in particular, of their role/s in fundamental biological pathways linked to long-term establishment in the vertebrate hosts, with a view towards the development of novel approaches for the control of neglected helminthiases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Cantacessi
- Center for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Darren Pickering
- Center for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Severine Navarro
- Center for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alex Loukas
- Center for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
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