Schistosoma mansoni: DNA microarray gene expression profiling during the miracidium-to-mother sporocyst transformation

A cercarial invadolysin interferes with the host immune response and facilitates infection establishment of Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni employs immune evasion and immunosuppression to overcome immune responses mounted by its snail and human hosts. Myriad immunomodulating factors underlie this process, some of which are proteases. Here, we demonstrate that one protease, an invadolysin we have termed SmCI-1, is released from the acetabular glands of S. mansoni cercaria and is involved in creating an immunological milieu favorable for survival of the parasite. The presence of SmCI-1 in the cercarial stage of S. mansoni is released during transformation into the schistosomula. SmCI-1 functions as a metalloprotease with the capacity to cleave collagen type IV, gelatin and fibrinogen. Additionally, complement component C3b is cleaved by this protease, resulting in inhibition of the classical and alternative complement pathways. Using SmCI-1 knockdown cercariae, we demonstrate that SmCI-1 protects schistosomula from complement-mediated lysis in human plasma. We also assess the effect of SmCI-1 on cytokine release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, providing compelling evidence that SmCI-1 promotes an anti-inflammatory microenvironment by enhancing production of IL-10 and suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines like IL-1B and IL-12p70 and those involved in eosinophil recruitment and activation, like Eotaxin-1 and IL-5. Finally, we utilize the SmCI-1 knockdown cercaria in a mouse model of infection, revealing a role for SmCI-1 in S. mansoni survival.

Immune Evasion Strategies of Schistosomes

Human schistosomes combat the unique immune systems of two vastly different hosts during their indirect life cycles. In gastropod molluscs, they face a potent innate immune response composed of variable immune recognition molecules and highly phagocytic hemocytes. In humans, a wide variety of innate and adaptive immune processes exist in proximity to these parasites throughout their lifespan. To survive and thrive as the second most common parasitic disease in humans, schistosomes have evolved many techniques to avoid and combat these targeted host responses. Among these techniques are molecular mimicry of host antigens, the utilization of an immune resistant outer tegument, the secretion of several potent proteases, and targeted release of specific immunomodulatory factors affecting immune cell functions. This review seeks to describe these key immune evasion mechanisms, among others, which schistosomes use to survive in both of their hosts. After diving into foundational observational studies of the processes mediating the establishment of schistosome infections, more recent transcriptomic and proteomic studies revealing crucial components of the host/parasite molecular interface are discussed. In order to combat this debilitating and lethal disease, a comprehensive understanding of schistosome immune evasion strategies is necessary for the development of novel therapeutics and treatment plans, necessitating the discussion of the numerous ways in which these parasitic flatworms overcome the immune responses of both hosts.

The in vivo transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni in the prominent vector species Biomphalaria pfeifferi with supporting observations from Biomphalaria glabrata

BACKGROUND

The full scope of the genes expressed by schistosomes during intramolluscan development has yet to be characterized. Understanding the gene products deployed by larval schistosomes in their snail hosts will provide insights into their establishment, maintenance, asexual reproduction, ability to castrate their hosts, and their prolific production of human-infective cercariae. Using the Illumina platform, the intramolluscan transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni was investigated in field-derived specimens of the prominent vector species Biomphalaria pfeifferi at 1 and 3 days post infection (d) and from snails shedding cercariae. These S. mansoni samples were derived from the same snails used in our complementary B. pfeifferi transcriptomic study. We supplemented this view with microarray analyses of S. mansoni from B. glabrata at 2d, 4d, 8d, 16d, and 32d to highlight robust features of S. mansoni transcription, even when a different technique and vector species was used.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Transcripts representing at least 7,740 (66%) of known S. mansoni genes were expressed during intramolluscan development, with the greatest number expressed in snails shedding cercariae. Many transcripts were constitutively expressed throughout development featuring membrane transporters, and metabolic enzymes involved in protein and nucleic acid synthesis and cell division. Several proteases and protease inhibitors were expressed at all stages, including some proteases usually associated with cercariae. Transcripts associated with G-protein coupled receptors, germ cell perpetuation, and stress responses and defense were well represented. We noted transcripts homologous to planarian anti-bacterial factors, several neural development or neuropeptide transcripts including neuropeptide Y, and receptors that may be associated with schistosome germinal cell maintenance that could also impact host reproduction. In at least one snail the presence of larvae of another digenean species (an amphistome) was associated with repressed S. mansoni transcriptional activity.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

This in vivo study, emphasizing field-derived snails and schistosomes, but supplemented with observations from a lab model, provides a distinct view from previous studies of development of cultured intramolluscan stages from lab-maintained organisms. We found many highly represented transcripts with suspected or unknown functions, with connection to intramolluscan development yet to be elucidated.

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

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.

Effects of proteasome inhibitor MG-132 on the parasite Schistosoma mansoni

Proteasome is a proteolytic complex responsible for intracellular protein turnover in eukaryotes, archaea and in some actinobacteria species. Previous work has demonstrated that in Schistosoma mansoni parasites, the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 affects parasite development. However, the molecular targets affected by MG-132 in S. mansoni are not entirely known. Here, we used expression microarrays to measure the genome-wide changes in gene expression of S. mansoni adult worms exposed in vitro to MG-132, followed by in silico functional analyses of the affected genes using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Scanning electron microscopy was used to document changes in the parasites’ tegument. We identified 1,919 genes with a statistically significant (q-value ≤ 0.025) differential expression in parasites treated for 24 h with MG-132, when compared with control. Of these, a total of 1,130 genes were up-regulated and 790 genes were down-regulated. A functional gene interaction network comprised of MG-132 and its target genes, known from the literature to be affected by the compound in humans, was identified here as affected by MG-132. While MG-132 activated the expression of the 26S proteasome genes, it also decreased the expression of 19S chaperones assembly, 20S proteasome maturation, ubiquitin-like NEDD8 and its partner cullin-3 ubiquitin ligase genes. Interestingly, genes that encode proteins related to potassium ion binding, integral membrane component, ATPase and potassium channel activities were significantly down-regulated, whereas genes encoding proteins related to actin binding and microtubule motor activity were significantly up-regulated. MG-132 caused important changes in the worm tegument; peeling, outbreaks and swelling in the tegument tubercles could be observed, which is consistent with interference on the ionic homeostasis in S. mansoni. Finally, we showed the down-regulation of Bax pro-apoptotic gene, as well as up-regulation of two apoptosis inhibitor genes, IAP1 and BRE1, and in contrast, down-regulation of Apaf-1 apoptotic activator, thus suggesting that apoptosis is deregulated in S. mansoni exposed to MG-132. A considerable insight has been gained concerning the potential of MG-132 as a gene expression modulator, and overall the data suggest that the proteasome might be an important molecular target for the design of new drugs against schistosomiasis.

Changes in the neuropeptide content of Biomphalaria ganglia nervous system following Schistosoma infection

BACKGROUND

Molluscs, including snails, are prone to parasite infection, which can lead to massive physiological and behavioural changes, yet many of the molecular components involved remain unresolved. Central to this point is the neural system that in snails consists of several ganglia that regulate the animals' physiology and behaviour patterns. The availability of a genomic resource for the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata provides a mean towards the high throughput analysis of changes in the central nervous system (CNS) following infection with Schistosoma miracidia.

RESULTS

In this study, we performed a proteomic analysis of the B. glabrata CNS at pre-patent infection, providing a list of proteins that were further used within a protein-protein interaction (PPI) framework against S. mansoni proteins. A hub with most connections for both non-infected and infected Biomphalaria includes leucine aminopeptidase 2 (LAP2), which interacts with numerous miracidia proteins that together belong to the immunoglobulin family of cell adhesion related molecules. We additionally reveal the presence of at least 165 neuropeptides derived from the precursors of buccalin, enterin, FMRF, FVRI, pedal peptide 1, 2, 3 and 4, RYamide, RFamide, pleurin and others. Many of these were present at significantly reduced levels in the snail's CNS post-infection, such as the egg laying hormone, a neuropeptide required to initiate egg laying in gastropod molluscs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis demonstrates that LAP2 may be a key component that regulates parasite infection physiology, as well as establishing that parasite-induced reproductive castration may be facilitated by significant reductions in reproduction-associated neuropeptides. This work helps in our understanding of molluscan neuropeptides and further stimulates advances in parasite-host interactions.

The Compatibility Between Biomphalaria glabrata Snails and Schistosoma mansoni: An Increasingly Complex Puzzle

This review reexamines the results obtained in recent decades regarding the compatibility polymorphism between the snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, and the pathogen, Schistosoma mansoni, which is one of the agents responsible for human schistosomiasis. Some results point to the snail's resistance as explaining the incompatibility, while others support a "matching hypothesis" between the snail's immune receptors and the schistosome's antigens. We propose here that the two hypotheses are not exclusive, and that the compatible/incompatible status of a particular host/parasite couple probably reflects the balance of multiple molecular determinants that support one hypothesis or the other. Because these genes are involved in a coevolutionary arms race, we also propose that the underlying mechanisms can vary. Finally, some recent results show that environmental factors could influence compatibility. Together, these results make the compatibility between B. glabrata and S. mansoni an increasingly complex puzzle. We need to develop more integrative approaches in order to find targets that could potentially be manipulated to control the transmission of schistosomiasis.

Advances in gastropod immunity from the study of the interaction between the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and its parasites: A review of research progress over the last decade

This review summarizes the research progress made over the past decade in the field of gastropod immunity resulting from investigations of the interaction between the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and its trematode parasites. A combination of integrated approaches, including cellular, genetic and comparative molecular and proteomic approaches have revealed novel molecular components involved in mediating Biomphalaria immune responses that provide insights into the nature of host-parasite compatibility and the mechanisms involved in parasite recognition and killing. The current overview emphasizes that the interaction between B. glabrata and its trematode parasites involves a complex molecular crosstalk between numerous antigens, immune receptors, effectors and anti-effector systems that are highly diverse structurally and extremely variable in expression between and within host and parasite populations. Ultimately, integration of these molecular signals will determine the outcome of a specific interaction between a B. glabrata individual and its interacting trematodes. Understanding these complex molecular interactions and identifying key factors that may be targeted to impairment of schistosome development in the snail host is crucial to generating new alternative schistosomiasis control strategies.

The Up-Regulation of Ribosomal Proteins Further Regulates Protein Expression Profile in Female Schistosoma japonicum after Pairing

BACKGROUND

Pairing of Schistosoma males and females leads to and maintains female sexual maturation. However, the mechanism by which pairing facilitates sexual maturation of females is not clear. An increasing body of evidence suggests that ribosomal proteins have regulatory rather than constitutive roles in protein translation.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

To investigate the effect of ribosome regulation on female sex maturation, Solexa and iTRAQ techniques were used to analyze the relationship between ribosomal gene or protein expression and sexual development of Schistosoma females. In the present study, considerably higher number of ribosomal genes or proteins were found to be differentially expressed in paired 23-day-old females. Moreover, mature female-specific proteins associated with egg production, such as ferritin-1 heavy chain and superoxide dismutase, were selectively highly expressed in paired females, rather than higher level of protein synthesis of all transcripts compared with those in unpaired 23-day-old females. Furthermore, other developmental stages were utilized to investigate different expression pattern of ribosomal proteins in females by analysing 18-day-old female schistosomula from single- or double-sex infections to determine the relationship between ribosomal protein expression pattern and development. Results showed that undeveloped 18-day-old females from single- and double-sex infections, as well as 23-day-old unpaired females, possessed similar ribosomal protein expression patterns, which were distinct from those in 23-day-old paired females.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Our findings reveal that the pairing of females and males triggers a specialized ribosomal protein expression profile which further regulates the protein profile for sexual maturation in Schistosoma japonicum, based on its gene expression profile.

Development of "-omics" research in Schistosoma spp. and -omics-based new diagnostic tools for schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis, caused by dioecious flatworms in the genus Schistosoma, is torturing people from many developing countries nowadays and frequently leads to severe morbidity and mortality of the patients. Praziquantel based chemotherapy and morbidity control for this disease adopted currently necessitate viable and efficient diagnostic technologies. Fortunately, those “-omics” researches, which rely on high-throughput experimental technologies to produce massive amounts of informative data, have substantially contributed to the exploitation and innovation of diagnostic tools of schistosomiasis. In its first section, this review provides a concise conclusion on the progresses pertaining to schistosomal “-omics” researches to date, followed by a comprehensive section on the diagnostic methods of schistosomiasis, especially those innovative ones based on the detection of antibodies, antigens, nucleic acids, and metabolites with a focus on those achievements inspired by “-omics” researches. Finally, suggestions about the design of future diagnostic tools of schistosomiasis are proposed, in order to better harness those data produced by “-omics” studies.

Novel expression profiles of microRNAs suggest that specific miRNAs regulate gene expression for the sexual maturation of female Schistosoma japonicum after pairing

Background

Schistosoma japonicum is one of the major causative agents of schistosomiasis. The pairing of males and females leads to female sexual maturation and maintains this mature state. However, the mechanisms by which pairing facilitates sexual maturation are yet to be investigated.

Methods

Parasites isolated from single- and double-sex cercariae-infected mice were analyzed by Solexa to uncover pair-regulated miRNA profiles. To reveal the biological functions of differentially expressed miRNAs among the samples, we predicted the target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs and compared the gene expression between 23-d-old female schistosomula from double-sex infections (23DSI) and 23-d-old female schistosomula from single-sex infections (23SSI) by analyzing digital gene expression profiling (DGE). KEGG pathway analysis was used to investigate the relevant biological processes of these target genes to understand the significance of differentially expressed miRNAs after pairing.

Results

The differentially expressed miRNA profiles of female 18- and 23-d post-single- and double-sex infections were analysed by Solexa. Similar miRNA profiles were observed in 18SSI and 18DSI, with the presence of identically expressed high-abundance miRNA, such as miRNA-1, miRNA-71b-5p and let-7. By contrast, in 23DSI and 23SSI, most of these high-abundance miRNAs were down-regulated. Furthermore, among all samples, bantam was distinctly up-regulated in 23 DSI, and miR-1, miR-71, miR-7-5p, and miR-7 were distinctly up-regulated in 23SSI. The transcriptomes of 23DSI and 23SSI revealed that the predicted target genes of miRNA-1, miRNA-71, miRNA-7, and miR-7-5p were associated with the ribonucleoprotein complex assembly and microtubule-based process. Conversely, the predicted target genes of bantam were related to the embryo development, development of primary sexual characteristics and regulation of transcription. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that in unpaired females, the highly-expressed miRNA-1, miRNA-71, miRNA-7, and miR-7-5p only inhibited the limited pathways, such as proteasome and ribosome assembly. Meanwhile, in paired mature females, highly-expressed bantam inhibited more biological pathways, such as the citrate cycle, glycolysis, fatty acid biosynthesis and RNA degradation.

Conclusions

The differentially expressed miRNAs between 23SSI and 23DSI and their different functions indicated that more genes or metabolic pathways in paired mature females were inhibited than those in unpaired ones. The results suggested that after pairing, specific miRNAs regulated gene expression to lead to female sexual maturation.

Transcriptome profilings of female Schistosoma japonicum reveal significant differential expression of genes after pairing

Pairing of Schistosoma japonicum initiates female development, leads to female sexual maturation, and maintains this mature state. To understand the mechanism involved in these processes, we studied parasites isolated from single- and double-sex cercariae-infected mice using deep-sequencing analysis, Solexa, to uncover pair-regulated transcriptional profiles. In this study, we report the results of high-throughput tag-sequencing (Tag-seq) analysis of the transcriptome of female worms 18 and 23 days postsingle- and double-sex infections. We sequenced over 3 million tags, obtained a total of 14,034, 27,251, 22,755, and 22,555 distinct tags corresponding to 5,773, 9,794, 8,885, and 8,870 tag-mapped genes for 23-day-old female schistosomula from double-sex infections (23DSI), 23-day-old female schistosomula from single-sex infections (23SSI), 18-day-old female schistosomula from double-sex infections (18DSI), and 18-day-old female schistosomula from single-sex infections (18SSI), respectively. Analyses of differentially expressed genes revealed similarities in the gene expression profiles between 18SSI and 18DSI as well as rational differential gene expression between 18SSI and 23SSI. However, fewer upregulated genes were found in 23DSI compared with 18DSI. Of the 3,446 differentially expressed genes between 23DSI and 23SSI, 2,913 genes were upregulated in 23SSI, whereas only 533 genes were upregulated in 23DSI. In these upregulated genes in 23DSI, phosphoglycerate mutase, superoxide dismutase, egg antigen, ribosomal proteins, ferritin-1 heavy chain, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 were detected. Detection of these genes suggests that gene expression in 23DSI is specialized for functions such as promotion and maintenance of female sexual maturation and egg production. Quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR analysis confirmed the Solexa results, thereby supporting the reliability of the system. Our results offer new insights into the biological significance of pairing, which directs the expression of genes specific for sexual maturation and egg production.

Microarray analysis of gene expression profiles of Schistosoma japonicum derived from less-susceptible host water buffalo and susceptible host goat

Background

Water buffalo and goats are natural hosts for S. japonicum in endemic areas of China. The susceptibility of these two hosts to schistosome infection is different, as water buffalo are less conducive to S. japonicum growth and development. To identify genes that may affect schistosome development and survival, we compared gene expression profiles of schistosomes derived from these two natural hosts using high-throughput microarray technology.

Results

The worm recovery rate was lower and the length and width of worms from water buffalo were smaller compared to those from goats following S. japonicum infection for 7 weeks. Besides obvious morphological difference between the schistosomes derived from the two hosts, differences were also observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Microarray analysis showed differentially expressed gene patterns for parasites from the two hosts, which revealed that genes related to lipid and nucleotide metabolism, as well as protein folding, sorting, and degradation were upregulated, while others associated with signal transduction, endocrine function, development, immune function, endocytosis, and amino acid/carbohydrate/glycan metabolism were downregulated in schistosomes from water buffalo. KEGG pathway analysis deduced that the differentially expressed genes mainly involved lipid metabolism, the MAPK and ErbB signaling pathways, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, dorso-ventral axis formation, reproduction, and endocytosis, etc.

Conclusion

The microarray gene analysis in schistosomes derived from water buffalo and goats provide a useful platform to disclose differences determining S. japonicum host compatibility to better understand the interplay between natural hosts and parasites, and identify schistosome target genes associated with susceptibility to screen vaccine candidates.

Whole-organ isolation approach as a basis for tissue-specific analyses in Schistosoma mansoni

Background

Schistosomiasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases worldwide, second only to malaria. Schistosomes exhibit an exceptional reproductive biology since the sexual maturation of the female, which includes the differentiation of the reproductive organs, is controlled by pairing. Pathogenicity originates from eggs, which cause severe inflammation in their hosts. Elucidation of processes contributing to female maturation is not only of interest to basic science but also considering novel concepts combating schistosomiasis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To get direct access to the reproductive organs, we established a novel protocol using a combined detergent/protease-treatment removing the tegument and the musculature of adult Schistosoma mansoni. All steps were monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and bright-field microscopy (BF). We focused on the gonads of adult schistosomes and demonstrated that isolated and purified testes and ovaries can be used for morphological and structural studies as well as sources for RNA and protein of sufficient amounts for subsequent analyses such as RT-PCR and immunoblotting. To this end, first exemplary evidence was obtained for tissue-specific transcription within the gonads (axonemal dynein intermediate chain gene SmAxDynIC; aquaporin gene SmAQP) as well as for post-transcriptional regulation (SmAQP).

Conclusions/Significance

The presented method provides a new way of getting access to tissue-specific material of S. mansoni. With regard to many still unanswered questions of schistosome biology, such as elucidating the molecular processes involved in schistosome reproduction, this protocol provides opportunities for, e.g., sub-transcriptomics and sub-proteomics at the organ level. This will promote the characterisation of gene-expression profiles, or more specifically to complete knowledge of signalling pathways contributing to differentiation processes, so discovering involved molecules that may represent potential targets for novel intervention strategies. Furthermore, gonads and other tissues are a basis for cell isolation, opening new perspectives for establishing cell lines, one of the tools desperately needed in the post-genomic era.

As a neglected disease, schistosomiasis is still an enormous problem in the tropics and subtropics. Since the 1980s, Praziquantel (PZQ) has been the drug of choice but can be anticipated to lose efficacy in the future due to emerging resistance. Alternative drugs or efficient vaccines are still lacking, strengthening the need for the discovery of novel strategies and targets for combating schistosomiasis. One avenue is to understand the unique reproductive biology of this trematode in more detail. Sexual maturation of the adult female depends on a constant pairing with the male. This is a crucial prerequisite for the differentiation of the female reproductive organs such as the vitellarium and ovary, and consequently for the production of mature eggs. These are needed for life-cycle maintenance, but they also cause pathogenesis. With respect to adult males, the production of mature sperm is essential for fertilisation and life-cycle progression. In our study we present a convenient and inexpensive method to isolate reproductive tissues from adult schistosomes in high amounts and purity, representing a source for gonad-specific RNA and protein, which will serve for future sub-transcriptome and -proteome studies helping to characterise genes, or to unravel differentiation programs in schistosome gonads. Beyond that, isolated organs may be useful for approaches to establish cell cultures, desperately needed in the post-genomic era.

Gene expression patterns in larval Schistosoma mansoni associated with infection of the mammalian host

BACKGROUND

The infective schistosome cercaria develops within the intramolluscan daughter sporocyst from an undifferentiated germ ball, during which synthesis of proteins essential for infection occurs. When the aquatic cercaria locates the mammalian host it rapidly penetrates into the epidermis using glandular secretions. It then undergoes metamorphosis into the schistosomulum, including replacement of its tegument surface membranes, a process taking several days before it exits the skin. Patterns of gene expression underlying this transition have been characterised.

METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

All gene models from the S. mansoni genome (www.GeneDB.org) were incorporated into a high-density oligonucleotide array. Double-stranded cDNA from germ balls, cercariae, and day 3 schistosomula was hybridised to the array without amplification. Statistical analysis was performed using Bioconductor to reveal differentially transcribed loci. Genes were categorised on the basis of biological process, tissue association or molecular function to aid understanding of the complex processes occurring. Genes necessary for DNA replication were enriched only in the germ ball, while those involved in translation were up-regulated in the germ ball and/or day 3 schistosomulum. Different sets of developmental genes were up-regulated at each stage. A large number of genes encoding elastases and invadolysins, and some venom allergen-like proteins were up-regulated in the germ ball, those encoding cysteine and aspartic proteases in the cercaria and schistosomulum. Micro exon genes encoding variant secreted proteins were highly up-regulated in the schistosomulum along with tegument and gut-associated genes, coincident with remodelling of the parasite body. Genes encoding membrane proteins were prominently up-regulated in the cercaria and/or day 3 schistosomulum.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Our study highlights an expanded number of transcripts encoding proteins potentially involved in skin invasion. It illuminates the process of metamorphosis into the schistosomulum and highlights the very early activation of gut-associated genes whilst revealing little change in the parasite's energy metabolism or stress responses.

Non-coding RNAs in schistosomes: an unexplored world

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) were recently given much higher attention due to technical advances in sequencing which expanded the characterization of transcriptomes in different organisms. ncRNAs have different lengths (22 nt to >1, 000 nt) and mechanisms of action that essentially comprise a sophisticated gene expression regulation network. Recent publication of schistosome genomes and transcriptomes has increased the description and characterization of a large number of parasite genes. Here we review the number of predicted genes and the coverage of genomic bases in face of the public ESTs dataset available, including a critical appraisal of the evidence and characterization of ncRNAs in schistosomes. We show expression data for ncRNAs in Schistosoma mansoni. We analyze three different microarray experiment datasets: (1) adult worms' large-scale expression measurements; (2) differentially expressed S. mansoni genes regulated by a human cytokine (TNF-α) in a parasite culture; and (3) a stage-specific expression of ncRNAs. All these data point to ncRNAs involved in different biological processes and physiological responses that suggest functionality of these new players in the parasite's biology. Exploring this world is a challenge for the scientists under a new molecular perspective of host-parasite interactions and parasite development.

Cloning and functional characterization of two calmodulin genes during larval development in the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is endemic in over 70 countries, in which more than 200 million people are infected with the various schistosome species. Understanding the physiological processes underlying key developmental events could be useful in developing novel chemotherapeutic reagents or infection intervention strategies. Calmodulin is a small, calcium-sensing protein found in all eukaryotes and, although the protein has been previously identified in various Schistosoma mansoni stages and implicated in egg hatching and miracidia transformation, few molecular and functional data are available for this essential protein. Herein, we report the molecular cloning, expression, and functional characterization of calmodulin in the miracidia and primary sporocyst stages of S. mansoni. Two transcripts, SmCaM1 and SmCaM2, were cloned and sequenced, and a recombinant SmCaM1 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and used to generate anti-CaM antibodies. The 2 protein sequences were highly conserved when compared to other model organisms. The alignment of the predicted proteins of both SmCaM1 and SmCaM2 exhibited 99% identity to each other and 97-98% identity with mammalian calmodulins. Analysis of steady-state transcript abundance indicate that the 2 calmodulin transcripts differ in their stage-associated expression patterns, although the CaM protein isotype appears to be constitutively expressed during early larval development. Application of RNAi to larval parasites results in a "stunted growth" phenotype in sporocysts with 30 and 35% reduction in transcript abundance for SmCaM1 and SmCaM2, respectively, and a corresponding 35% reduction in protein level after incubation in double-stranded RNA. Differential expression of CaM transcripts during early larval development and a growth defect-inducing effect associated with partial transcript and protein inhibition as a result of RNAi suggest a potentially important role of calmodulin during early larval development.

The identification of inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni miracidial transformation by incorporating a medium-throughput small-molecule screen

In Schistosoma mansoni, the miracidium-to-primary sporocyst transformation process is associated with many physiological, morphological, transcriptional and biochemical changes. In the present study, we use a medium-throughput small-molecule screen to identify chemical compounds inhibiting or delaying the in vitro transformation of miracidia to the sporocyst stage. The Sigma-Aldrich Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds (LOPAC) contains 1280 well-characterized chemical compounds with various modes of action including enzyme inhibitors, antibiotics, cell-cycle regulators, apoptosis inducers and GPCR ligands. We identified 47 compounds that greatly reduce or delay this transformation process during a primary screen of live miracidia. The majority of compounds inhibiting larval transformation were from dopaminergic, serotonergic, ion channel and phosphorylation classes. Specifically, we found that dopamine D2-type antagonists, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, voltage-gated calcium channel antagonists and a PKC activator significantly reduced in vitro miracidial transformation rates. Many of the targets of these compounds regulate adenylyl cyclase activity, with the inhibition or activation of these targets resulting in increased cAMP levels in miracidia and concomitant blocking/delaying of larval transformation.

In vitro manipulation of gene expression in larval Schistosoma: a model for postgenomic approaches in Trematoda

With rapid developments in DNA and protein sequencing technologies, combined with powerful bioinformatics tools, a continued acceleration of gene identification in parasitic helminths is predicted, potentially leading to discovery of new drug and vaccine targets, enhanced diagnostics and insights into the complex biology underlying host-parasite interactions. For the schistosome blood flukes, with the recent completion of genome sequencing and comprehensive transcriptomic datasets, there has accumulated massive amounts of gene sequence data, for which, in the vast majority of cases, little is known about actual functions within the intact organism. In this review we attempt to bring together traditional in vitro cultivation approaches and recent emergent technologies of molecular genomics, transcriptomics and genetic manipulation to illustrate the considerable progress made in our understanding of trematode gene expression and function during development of the intramolluscan larval stages. Using several prominent trematode families (Schistosomatidae, Fasciolidae, Echinostomatidae), we have focused on the current status of in vitro larval isolation/cultivation as a source of valuable raw material supporting gene discovery efforts in model digeneans that include whole genome sequencing, transcript and protein expression profiling during larval development, and progress made in the in vitro manipulation of genes and their expression in larval trematodes using transgenic and RNA interference (RNAi) approaches.

Identification of the Schistosoma mansoni TNF-alpha receptor gene and the effect of human TNF-alpha on the parasite gene expression profile

Background

Schistosoma mansoni is the major causative agent of schistosomiasis. The parasite takes advantage of host signals to complete its development in the human body. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a human cytokine involved in skin inflammatory responses, and although its effect on the adult parasite's metabolism and egg-laying process has been previously described, a comprehensive assessment of the TNF-α pathway and its downstream molecular effects is lacking.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the present work we describe a possible TNF-α receptor (TNFR) homolog gene in S. mansoni (SmTNFR). SmTNFR encodes a complete receptor sequence composed of 599 amino acids, and contains four cysteine-rich domains as described for TNFR members. Real-time RT-PCR experiments revealed that SmTNFR highest expression level is in cercariae, 3.5 (±0.7) times higher than in adult worms. Downstream members of the known human TNF-α pathway were identified by an in silico analysis, revealing a possible TNF-α signaling pathway in the parasite. In order to simulate parasite's exposure to human cytokine during penetration of the skin, schistosomula were exposed to human TNF-α just 3 h after cercariae-to-schistosomula in vitro transformation, and large-scale gene expression measurements were performed with microarrays. A total of 548 genes with significantly altered expression were detected, when compared to control parasites. In addition, treatment of adult worms with TNF-α caused a significantly altered expression of 1857 genes. Interestingly, the set of genes altered in adults is different from that of schistosomula, with 58 genes in common, representing 3% of altered genes in adults and 11% in 3 h-old early schistosomula.

Conclusions/Significance

We describe the possible molecular elements and targets involved in human TNF-α effect on S. mansoni, highlighting the mechanism by which recently transformed schistosomula may sense and respond to this host mediator at the site of cercarial penetration into the skin.

Schistosoma mansoni is the major causative agent of schistosomiasis in the Americas. This parasite takes advantage of host signaling molecules such as cytokines and hormones to complete its development inside the host. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is one of the most important host cytokines involved in the inflammatory response. When cercariae, the infective stage, penetrates the human skin the release of TNF-α is started. In this work the authors describe the complete sequence of a possible TNF-α receptor in S. mansoni and detect that the receptor is most highly expressed in cercariae among all life cycle stages. Aiming to mimic the situation at the site of skin penetration, cercariae were mechanically transformed in vitro into schistosomula and exposed to human TNF-α. Exposure of early-developing schistosomula to the human hormone caused a large-scale change in the expression of parasite genes. Exposure of adult worms to human TNF-α caused gene expression changes as well, and the set of parasite altered genes in the adult parasite was different from that of schistosomula. This work increases the number of known signaling pathways of the parasite, and opens new perspectives into understanding the molecular components of TNF-α response as well as into possibly interfering with parasite–host interaction.

Molecular characterization of the Schistosoma mansoni zinc finger protein SmZF1 as a transcription factor

Background

During its development, the parasite Schistosoma mansoni is exposed to different environments and undergoes many morphological and physiological transformations as a result of profound changes in gene expression. Characterization of proteins involved in the regulation of these processes is of importance for the understanding of schistosome biology. Proteins containing zinc finger motifs usually participate in regulatory processes and are considered the major class of transcription factors in eukaryotes. It has already been shown, by EMSA (Eletrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay), that SmZF1, a S. mansoni zinc finger (ZF) protein, specifically binds both DNA and RNA oligonucleotides. This suggests that this protein might act as a transcription factor in the parasite.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study we extended the characterization of SmZF1 by determining its subcellular localization and by verifying its ability to regulate gene transcription. We performed immunohistochemistry assays using adult male and female worms, cercariae and schistosomula to analyze the distribution pattern of SmZF1 and verified that the protein is mainly detected in the cells nuclei of all tested life cycle stages except for adult female worms. Also, SmZF1 was heterologously expressed in mammalian COS-7 cells to produce the recombinant protein YFP-SmZF1, which was mainly detected in the nucleus of the cells by confocal microscopy and Western blot assays. To evaluate the ability of this protein to regulate gene transcription, cells expressing YFP-SmZF1 were tested in a luciferase reporter system. In this system, the luciferase gene is downstream of a minimal promoter, upstream of which a DNA region containing four copies of the SmZF1 putative best binding site (D1-3DNA) was inserted. SmZF1 increased the reporter gene transcription by two fold (p≤0.003) only when its specific binding site was present.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results strongly support the hypothesis that SmZF1 acts as a transcription factor in S. mansoni.

Schistosomes are parasites that exhibit a complex life cycle during which they progress through many morphological and physiological transformations. These transformations are likely accompanied by alterations in gene expression, making genetic regulation important for parasite development. Here we describe a Schistosoma mansoni protein (SmZF1) that may act as a parasite transcription factor. These factors are key proteins for gene regulation. We have previously demonstrated that SmZF1 is able to bind DNA and that its mRNA is present at different stages during the parasite life cycle. In this study we aimed to define if this protein can function as a transcription factor in S. mansoni. SmZF1 was detected in the nucleus of adult male worms, cercariae and schistosomula cells. It was not, however, observed in female cells, suggesting it to be gender specific. We used mammalian cells expressing recombinant SmZF1 to analyze if SmZF1 protein is able to activate/repress gene transcription and demonstrated that it increased the expression of a reporter gene by two-fold. The results obtained confirm SmZF1 as a S. mansoni transcription factor.

Schistosoma genomics: new perspectives on schistosome biology and host-parasite interaction

Schistosomiasis, caused mainly by Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni, and S. hematobium, remains one of the most prevalent and serious parasitic diseases worldwide. The blood flukes have a complex life cycle requiring adaptation for survival in fresh water as free-living forms and as parasites in snail intermediate and vertebrate definitive hosts. Functional genomics analyses, including transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, have been performed on schistosomes, in particular S. mansoni and S. japonicum, using powerful high-throughput methodologies. These investigations have not only chartered gene expression profiles across genders and developmental stages within mammalian and snail hosts, but have also characterized the features of the surface tegument, the eggshell and excretory-secretory proteomes of schistosomes. The integration of the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic information, together with genetic manipulation on individual genes, will provide a global insight into the molecular architecture of the biology, pathogenesis, and host-parasite interactions of the human blood flukes. Importantly, these functional genomics analyses lay a foundation on which to develop new antischistosome vaccines as well as drug targets and diagnostic markers for treatment and control of schistosomiasis.

Transcriptome analysis of Schistosoma mansoni larval development using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE)

SUMMARY

Infection of the snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, by the free-swimming miracidial stage of the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, and its subsequent development to the parasitic sporocyst stage is critical to establishment of viable infections and continued human transmission. We performed a genome-wide expression analysis of the S. mansoni miracidia and developing sporocyst using Long Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (LongSAGE). Five cDNA libraries were constructed from miracidia and in vitro cultured 6- and 20-day-old sporocysts maintained in sporocyst medium (SM) or in SM conditioned by previous cultivation with cells of the B. glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line. We generated 21 440 SAGE tags and mapped 13 381 to the S. mansoni gene predictions (v4.0e) either by estimating theoretical 3' UTR lengths or using existing 3' EST sequence data. Overall, 432 transcripts were found to be differentially expressed amongst all 5 libraries. In total, 172 tags were differentially expressed between miracidia and 6-day conditioned sporocysts and 152 were differentially expressed between miracidia and 6-day unconditioned sporocysts. In addition, 53 and 45 tags, respectively, were differentially expressed in 6-day and 20-day cultured sporocysts, due to the effects of exposure to Bge cell-conditioned medium.

Forty years of helminth biochemistry

This review describes some of the developments in helminth biochemistry that have taken place over the last 40 years. Since the early 1970s the main anabolic and catabolic pathways in parasitic helminths have been worked out. The mode of action of the majority of anthelmintics is now known, but in many cases the mechanisms of resistance remain elusive. Developments in helminth biochemistry have depended heavily on developments in other areas. High throughput methods such as proteomics, transcriptomics and genome sequencing are now generating vast amounts of new data. The challenge for the future is to interpret and understand the biological relevance of this new information.

Towards an understanding of the mechanism of action of praziquantel

Although praziquantel (PZQ) has been used to treat schistosomiasis for over 20 years its mechanism of action remains unknown. We have developed an assay based on the transcriptional response of Schistosoma mansoni PR-1 to heat shock to confirm that while 6-week post-infection (p.i.) schistosomes are sensitive to PZQ, 4-week p.i. schistosomes are not. Further, we have used this assay to demonstrate that in mice this sensitivity develops between days 37 and 40 p.i. When PZQ is linked to the fluorophore BODIPY to aid microscopic visualization, it appears to enter the cells of intact 4 and 6-week p.i. schistosomes as well as mammalian NIH 3T3 cells with ease suggesting that the differential effects of PZQ is not based on cell exclusion. A transcriptomal analysis of gene expression between 4 and 6 weeks p.i. revealed 607 up-regulated candidate genes whose products are potential PZQ targets. A comparison of this gene list with that of genes expressed by PZQ sensitive miracidia reduced this target list to 247 genes, including a number involved in aerobic metabolism and cytosolic calcium regulation. Finally, we also report the effect of an in vitro sub-lethal exposure of PZQ on the transcriptome of S. mansoni PR-1. Annotation of genes differentially regulated by PZQ exposure suggests that schistosomes may undergo a transcriptomic response similar to that observed during oxidative stress.

The Brazilian contribution to the study of the Schistosoma mansoni transcriptome

Brazilian scientists have made definitive contributions towards the understanding of the transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni. The transcriptome, as a collection of expressed genes, was studied with two basic approaches, the sequencing of cloned cDNA ends and the production and sequencing of random fragments of cDNA. The data that was generated covers nearly the entire set of transcribed genes. These data have been important for gene discovery and annotation of gene function, annotation of the genome, construction of microarrays, identification of peptides in the study of the proteome and can be mined for splice variants, polymorphisms such as single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites, for example. This review will describe the advances achieved with the contribution of Brazilian researchers to the understanding of the transcribed regions of the S. mansoni genome.

Schistosoma mansoni: Microarray analysis of gene expression induced by host sex

Schistosoma mansoni is a digenetic trematode and a human parasite responsible for high social and economic impact. Although some authors have studied the effect of host hormones on parasites, not much is known about the effects of host sex on gene expression in Schistosomes. In order to study gene transcripts associated with the host sex, we compared the gene expression profiles of both male and female unisexual adult S. mansoni parasites raised on either male or female hosts, using DNA microarrays. Our results show that host sex caused differential expression of at least 11 genes in female parasites and of 134 in male parasites. Of the differentially expressed genes in female worms, 10 were preferentially expressed in female worms from male mice, while of the 134 differentially expressed genes in male parasites, 79 (59%) were preferentially expressed in worms from female mice. Further investigation of the role of each of those genes will help understand better their importance in the pathogenesis of Schistosomiasis.

Comparative real-time PCR and enzyme analysis of selected gender-associated molecules in Schistosoma japonicum

Schistosomes are complex parasitic helminths with discrete life-cycle stages, adapted for survival in their mammalian and snail hosts and the external aquatic environment. Recently, we described the fabrication and use of a microarray to investigate gender-specific transcription in Schistosoma japonicum. To address transcriptional differences, 8 gender-associated gene transcripts identified previously by the microarray analysis were selected for further study. First, differential transcription patterns were investigated in 4 developmental stages using real-time PCR. Subsequently, we undertook functional analysis of a subset of 4 transcripts encoding metabolic enzymes, so as to correlate gender-associated transcript levels with enzyme activity in protein extracts from adult worms. The 8 characterized molecules serve as a basis for further investigation of differential gene expression during the schistosome life-cycle and for studying the sexual dimorphism of adult worms. Continual refinement and annotation of the microarray used in the current study should support future work on these aspects.

Gene expression patterns during adaptation of a helminth parasite to different environmental niches

BACKGROUND

Schistosome bloodflukes are complex trematodes responsible for 200 million cases of schistosomiasis worldwide. Their life cycle is characterized by a series of remarkable morphological and biochemical transitions between an invertebrate host, an aquatic environment, and a mammalian host. We report a global transcriptional analysis of how this parasite alters gene regulation to adapt to three distinct environments.

RESULTS

Utilizing a genomic microarray made of 12,000 45-50-mer oligonucleotides based on expressed sequence tags, three different developmental stages of the schistosome parasite were analyzed by pair-wise comparisons of transcript hybridization signals. This analysis resulted in the identification of 1,154 developmentally enriched transcripts.

CONCLUSION

This study expands the repertoire of schistosome genes analyzed for stage-specific expression to over 70% of the predicted genome. Among the new associations identified are the roles of robust protein synthesis and programmed cell death in development of cercariae in the sporocyst stages, the relative paucity of cercarial gene expression outside of energy production, and the remarkable diversity of adult gene expression programs that reflect adaptation to the host bloodstream and an average lifespan that may approach 10 years.

Use of a 44k oligoarray to explore the transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni adult worms

Recent advances in the study of Schistosoma mansoni genome and transcriptome have led to a better description of the S. mansoni gene complement. In this work, we report the design and use of a new S. mansoni 60-mer oligonucleotide microarray platform with approximately 44,000 probes, based on all publicly available cDNA sequence data for S. mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. The large number of probes combined with the extensive sequence annotation available allowed a comprehensive approach, where most of the S. mansoni transcriptome is represented. Hybridization with adult worm RNA pointed to a set of genes transcriptionally active in this stage of the parasite's life cycle. Interestingly, a large proportion (43%) of genes for which transcription was detected in adults is comprised of "no match" genes, i.e. S. mansoni genes with unknown function and no identifiable orthologs in GenBank. Moreover, detection of bi-directional transcription for 7% of the active "no match" genes in adults leads us to hypothesize a widespread production of antisense RNA in S. mansoni, with possible regulatory roles.

A quantitative view of the transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni adult-worms using SAGE

Background

Five species of the genus Schistosoma, a parasitic trematode flatworm, are causative agents of Schistosomiasis, a disease that is endemic in a large number of developing countries, affecting millions of patients around the world. By using SAGE (Serial Analysis of Gene Expression) we describe here the first large-scale quantitative analysis of the Schistosoma mansoni transcriptome, one of the most epidemiologically relevant species of this genus.

Results

After extracting mRNA from pooled male and female adult-worms, a SAGE library was constructed and sequenced, generating 68,238 tags that covered more than 6,000 genes expressed in this developmental stage. An analysis of the ordered tag-list shows the genes of F10 eggshell protein, pol-polyprotein, HSP86, 14-3-3 and a transcript yet to be identified to be the five top most abundant genes in pooled adult worms. Whereas only 8% of the 100 most abundant tags found in adult worms of S. mansoni could not be assigned to transcripts of this parasite, 46.9% of the total ditags could not be mapped, demonstrating that the 3 sequence of most of the rarest transcripts are still to be identified. Mapping of our SAGE tags to S. mansoni genes suggested the occurrence of alternative-polyadenylation in at least 13 gene transcripts. Most of these events seem to shorten the 3 UTR of the mRNAs, which may have consequences over their stability and regulation.

Conclusion

SAGE revealed the frequency of expression of the majority of the S. mansoni genes. Transcriptome data suggests that alternative polyadenylation is likely to be used in the control of mRNA stability in this organism. When transcriptome was compared with the proteomic data available, we observed a correlation of about 50%, suggesting that both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation are important for determining protein abundance in S. mansoni. The generation of SAGE tags from other life-cycle stages should contribute to reveal the dynamics of gene expression in this important parasite.

Microarray analysis of gene expression induced by sexual contact in Schistosoma mansoni

Background

The parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni is one of the major causative agents of Schistosomiasis, a disease that affects approximately 200 million people, mostly in developing countries. Since much of the pathology is associated with eggs laid by the female worm, understanding the mechanisms involved in oogenesis and sexual maturation is an important step towards the discovery of new targets for effective drug therapy. It is known that the adult female worm only develops fully in the presence of a male worm and that the rates of oviposition and maturation of eggs are significantly increased by mating. In order to study gene transcripts associated with sexual maturation and oviposition, we compared the gene expression profiles of sexually mature and immature parasites using DNA microarrays.

Results

For each experiment, three amplified RNA microarray hybridizations and their dye swaps were analyzed. Our results show that 265 transcripts are differentially expressed in adult females and 53 in adult males when mature and immature worms are compared. Of the genes differentially expressed, 55% are expressed at higher levels in paired females while the remaining 45% are more expressed in unpaired ones and 56.6% are expressed at higher levels in paired male worms while the remaining 43.4% are more expressed in immature parasites. Real-time RT-PCR analysis validated the microarray results. Several new maturation associated transcripts were identified. Genes that were up-regulated in single-sex females were mostly related to energy generation (i.e. carbohydrate and protein metabolism, generation of precursor metabolites and energy, cellular catabolism, and organelle organization and biogenesis) while genes that were down-regulated related to RNA metabolism, reactive oxygen species metabolism, electron transport, organelle organization and biogenesis and protein biosynthesis.

Conclusion

Our results confirm previous observations related to gene expression induced by sexual maturation in female schistosome worms. They also increase the list of S. mansoni maturation associated transcripts considerably, therefore opening new and exciting avenues for the study of the conjugal biology and development of new drugs against schistosomes.

The Schistosoma mansoni transcriptome: an update

Large scale EST sequencing projects have been carried out for Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. This update will briefly review the most recent accomplishments in the area and discuss the use of EST data for the purposes of gene discovery, gene model development, genome annotation and SNP analysis. In addition, the use of ESTs for studying other features of the transcriptome such as splice site and transcription initiation variants will be discussed as well as approaches to assigning function to unknown transcripts. Although EST sequencing has contributed much for schistosome research, other data mining possibilities exist, including the identification of putative drug and vaccine targets.

Schistosome biology and proteomics: progress and challenges

The recent availability of schistosomal genome-sequence information allows protein identification in schistosome-derived samples by mass spectrometry (proteomics). Over the last few years, several proteome studies have been performed that addressed important questions in schistosome biology. This review summarizes the applied experimental approaches that have been used so far, it provides an overview of the most important conclusions that can be drawn from the performed studies and finally discusses future challenges in this research area.

Profiling Schistosoma mansoni development using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE)

Despite the widespread use of chemotherapy and other control strategies over the past 50years, transmission rates for schistosomiasis have changed little. Regardless of the approach used, future control efforts will require a more complete understanding of fundamental parasite biology. Schistosomes undergo complex development involving an alteration of parasite generations within a mammalian and freshwater molluscan host in the completion of its lifecycle. Little is known about factors controlling schistosome development, but understanding these processes may facilitate the discovery of new control methods. Therefore, our goal in this study is to determine global developmentally regulated and stage-specific gene expression in Schistosoma mansoni using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). We present a preliminary analysis of genes expressed during development and sexual differentiation in the mammalian host and during early larval development in the snail host. A number of novel, differentially expressed genes have been identified, both within and between the different developmental stages found in the mammalian and snail hosts.

Antioxidant gene expression and function in in vitro-developing Schistosoma mansoni mother sporocysts: possible role in self-protection

The ability of the larval forms of Schistosoma mansoni to invade and parasitize their molluscan host, Biomphalaria glabrata, is determined by a multitude of factors. In this study we sought to elucidate the possible mechanisms by which the invading larvae are able to counteract the potentially harmful oxidative environment presented by the host upon initial miracidial infection. This was attempted by examining the gene expression profile of parasite antioxidant enzymes of the linked glutathione-(GSH) thioredoxin (Trx) redox pathway during early intramolluscan larval development. Three such enzymes, the peroxiredoxins (Prx1, Prx2 and Prx3) were examined as to their activity and sites of expression within S. mansoni miracidia and in vitro-cultured mother sporocysts. Results of these studies demonstrated that the H(2)O(2)-reducing enzymes Prx1 and 2 are upregulated during early mother sporocyst development compared to miracidia. Immunolocalization studies further indicated that Prx1 and Prx2 proteins are expressed within the apical papillae of miracidia and tegumental syncytium of sporocysts, and are released with parasite excretory-secretory proteins (ESP) during in vitro larval transformation. Removal of Prx1 and Prx2 from larval ESP by immunoabsorption significantly reduced the ability of ESP to breakdown exogenous H(2)O(2), thereby directly linking ESP Prx proteins with H(2)O(2)-scavenging activity. Moreover, exposure of live sporocysts to exogenous H(2)O(2)stimulated an upregulation of Prx1 and 2 gene expression suggesting the involvement of H(2)O(2)-responsive elements in regulating larval Prx gene expression. These data provide evidence that Prx1 and Prx2 may function in the protection of S. mansoni sporocysts during the early stages of infection.

Integrating transcriptome, proteome and glycome analyses of Schistosoma biology

Publication of the transcriptomes of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum, in conjunction with the sequencing and assembly of their genomes, has generated a comprehensive picture of Schistosoma transcriptional and genomic diversity. Subsequently, researchers who study conjugal and developmental biology, tegumental composition and larval or egg, secretory and excretory products have used these data, in combination with the latest '-omics' technologies, to extend large-scale screens of the schistosome transcriptome, proteome and glycome. In this article, we review these postgenomic investigations and contend that the generated datasets provide a plethora of novel drug, vaccine and immunomodulatory targets that might be useful for developing new antischistosome agents.

Vaccines against the zoonotic trematodesSchistosoma japonicum,Fasciola hepaticaandFasciola gigantica

Schistosoma japonicum,Fasciola hepaticaandF. giganticaare digenetic trematodes and, therefore, possess similar life cycles. While schistosomiasis japonica has for a long time been recognised as a major disease of both humans and animals, infection with fasciolids has only been considered of relevance to animals. However, a number of recent reports indicate that fasciolosis is becoming a serious public health problem, especially in South America, Egypt and Iran (sporadic cases are also on the increase throughout Europe). Vaccines targeted at animals could play an important role in controlling these three diseases in animals and, by blocking transmission of infection, have a concurrent beneficial effect on disease in humans. Approaches towards identifying and producing vaccines against these parasites are similar and are discussed in this reveiw.

Identification of developmentally regulated genes in Entamoeba histolytica: insights into mechanisms of stage conversion in a protozoan parasite

Developmental switching between life-cycle stages is a common feature among many pathogenic organisms. The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica converts between cysts (essential for disease transmission) and trophozoites (responsible for tissue invasion). Identification of genes involved in the developmental pathway has been severely hindered by the inability to generate E. histolytica cysts in vitro. Using parasite strains derived from recent human infections and whole-genome transcriptional profiling, we determined that 1439 genes (approximately 15% of annotated genes) were potentially developmentally regulated. Genes enriched in cysts (672 in total) included cysteine proteinases and transmembrane protein kinases, which may be involved in signal transduction. Genes enriched in trophozoites (767 in total) included genes typically thought of as important in tissue invasion by trophozoites, including the Gal/GalNAc lectin light subunit and cysteine protease 1. Putative regulators of differentiation including possible G-protein coupled receptors, signal transduction proteins and transcription factors were identified. A number of E. histolytica stage-specific genes were also developmentally regulated in the reptilian parasite E. invadens, indicating that they likely have conserved functions in Entamoeba development. These advances lay the groundwork for dissection of the molecular signals that initiate stage conversion and development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic measures targeting E. histolytica cysts.