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Midtbø HMD, Eichner C, Hamre LA, Dondrup M, Flesland L, Tysseland KH, Kongshaug H, Borchel A, Skoge RH, Nilsen F, Øvergård AC. Salmon louse labial gland enzymes: implications for host settlement and immune modulation. Front Genet 2024; 14:1303898. [PMID: 38299097 PMCID: PMC10828956 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1303898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is a skin- and blood-feeding ectoparasite, infesting salmonids. While feeding, labial gland proteins from the salmon louse may be deposited on the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) skin. Previously characterized labial gland proteins are involved in anti-coagulation and may contribute to inhibiting Atlantic salmon from mounting a sufficient immune response against the ectoparasite. As labial gland proteins seem to be important in the host-parasite interaction, we have, therefore, identified and characterized ten enzymes localized to the labial gland. They are a large group of astacins named L. salmonis labial gland astacin 1-8 (LsLGA 1-8), one serine protease named L. salmonis labial gland serine protease 1 (LsLGSP1), and one apyrase named L. salmonis labial gland apyrase 1 (LsLGAp1). Protein domain predictions showed that LsLGA proteins all have N-terminal ShK domains, which may bind to potassium channels targeting the astacins to its substrate. LsLGA1 and -4 are, in addition, expressed in another gland type, whose secrete also meets the host-parasite interface. This suggests that LsLGA proteins may have an anti-microbial function and may prevent secondary infections in the wounds. LsLGAp1 is predicted to hydrolyze ATP or AMP and is, thereby, suggested to have an immune dampening function. In a knockdown study targeting LsLGSP1, a significant increase in IL-8 and MMP13 at the skin infestation site was seen under LsLGSP1 knockdown salmon louse compared to the control, suggesting that LsLGSP1 may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, most of the identified labial gland proteins are expressed in mature copepodids prior to host settlement, are not regulated by starvation, and are expressed at similar or higher levels in lice infesting the salmon louse-resistant pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). This study, thereby, emphasizes the importance of labial gland proteins for host settlement and their immune dampening function. This work can further contribute to anti-salmon louse treatment such as vaccine development, functional feed, or gene-edited salmon louse-resistant Atlantic salmon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christiane Eichner
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Are Hamre
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Michael Dondrup
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Linn Flesland
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Heidi Kongshaug
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Andreas Borchel
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Renate Hvidsten Skoge
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frank Nilsen
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Aina-Cathrine Øvergård
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Arora EK, Sharma V. Iron metabolism: pathways and proteins in homeostasis. REV INORG CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/revic-2022-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Iron is essential to human survival. The biological role and trafficking of this trace essential inorganic element which is also a potential toxin is constantly being researched and unfolded. Vital for oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, electron transport, neurotransmitter biosynthesis and present in numerous other heme and non-heme enzymes the physiological roles are immense. Understanding the molecules and pathways that regulate this essential element at systemic and cellular levels are of importance in improving therapeutic strategies for iron related disorders. This review highlights the progress in understanding the metabolism and trafficking of iron along with the pathophysiology of iron related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Kundra Arora
- Chemistry Department, St. Stephen’s College , University of Delhi , Delhi 110007 , India
| | - Vibha Sharma
- Chemistry Department, St. Stephen’s College , University of Delhi , Delhi 110007 , India
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Small, charged proteins in salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) secretions modulate Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) immune responses and coagulation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7995. [PMID: 35568726 PMCID: PMC9107468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11773-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about glandular proteins secreted from the skin- and blood-feeding ectoparasite salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). The labial gland has ducts extending into the oral cavity of the lice, and the present study aimed to identify novel genes expressed by this gland type and to investigate their role in modulation of host parameters at the lice feeding site. Five genes associated with labial gland function were identified and named Lepeophteirus salmonis labial gland protein (LsLGP) 1-4 and 1 like (LsLGP1L). All LsLGPs were predicted to be small charged secreted proteins not encoding any known protein domains. Functional studies revealed that LsLGP1 and/or LsLGP1L regulated the expression of other labial gland genes. Immune dampening functions were indicated for LsLGP2 and 3. Whereas LsLGP2 was expressed throughout the parasitic life cycle and found to dampen inflammatory cytokines, LsLGP3 displayed an increased expression in mobile stages and appeared to dampen adaptive immune responses. Expression of LsLGP4 coincided with moulting to the mobile pre-adult I stage where hematophagous feeding is initiated, and synthetic LsLGP4 decreased the clotting time of Atlantic salmon plasma. Results from the present study confirm that the salmon louse secretes immune modulating and anti-coagulative proteins with a potential application in new immune based anti-salmon louse treatments.
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Wyngaard GA, Skern-Mauritzen R, Malde K, Prendergast R, Peruzzi S. The salmon louse genome may be much larger than sequencing suggests. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6616. [PMID: 35459797 PMCID: PMC9033869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10585-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome size of organisms impacts their evolution and biology and is often assumed to be characteristic of a species. Here we present the first published estimates of genome size of the ecologically and economically important ectoparasite, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda, Caligidae). Four independent L. salmonis genome assemblies of the North Atlantic subspecies Lepeophtheirus salmonis salmonis, including two chromosome level assemblies, yield assemblies ranging from 665 to 790 Mbps. These genome assemblies are congruent in their findings, and appear very complete with Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs analyses finding > 92% of expected genes and transcriptome datasets routinely mapping > 90% of reads. However, two cytometric techniques, flow cytometry and Feulgen image analysis densitometry, yield measurements of 1.3-1.6 Gb in the haploid genome. Interestingly, earlier cytometric measurements reported genome sizes of 939 and 567 Mbps in L. salmonis salmonis samples from Bay of Fundy and Norway, respectively. Available data thus suggest that the genome sizes of salmon lice are variable. Current understanding of eukaryotic genome dynamics suggests that the most likely explanation for such variability involves repetitive DNA, which for L. salmonis makes up ≈ 60% of the genome assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Wyngaard
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
| | | | - Ketil Malde
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Stefano Peruzzi
- Department of Arctic Marine Biology, UiT-the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
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Zhou Z, Eichner C, Nilsen F, Jonassen I, Dondrup M. A novel approach to co-expression network analysis identifies modules and genes relevant for moulting and development in the Atlantic salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). BMC Genomics 2021; 22:832. [PMID: 34789144 PMCID: PMC8600823 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08054-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is an obligate ectoparasitic copepod living on Atlantic salmon and other salmonids in the marine environment. Salmon lice cause a number of environmental problems and lead to large economical losses in aquaculture every year. In order to develop novel parasite control strategies, a better understanding of the mechanisms of moulting and development of the salmon louse at the transcriptional level is required. METHODS Three weighted gene co-expression networks were constructed based on the pairwise correlations of salmon louse gene expression profiles at different life stages. Network-based approaches and gene annotation information were applied to identify genes that might be important for the moulting and development of the salmon louse. RNA interference was performed for validation. Regulatory impact factors were calculated for all the transcription factor genes by examining the changes in co-expression patterns between transcription factor genes and deferentially expressed genes in middle stages and moulting stages. RESULTS Eight gene modules were predicted as important, and 10 genes from six of the eight modules have been found to show observable phenotypes in RNA interference experiments. We knocked down five hub genes from three modules and observed phenotypic consequences in all experiments. In the infection trial, no copepodids with a RAB1A-like gene knocked down were found on fish, while control samples developed to chalimus-1 larvae. Also, a FOXO-like transcription factor obtained highest scores in the regulatory impact factor calculation. CONCLUSIONS We propose a gene co-expression network-based approach to identify genes playing an important role in the moulting and development of salmon louse. The RNA interference experiments confirm the effectiveness of our approach and demonstrated the indispensable role of a RAB1A-like gene in the development of the salmon louse. We propose that our approach could be generalized to identify important genes associated with a phenotype of interest in other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoran Zhou
- Department of Informatics & Sea Lice Research Centre, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, Bergen, 5008 Norway
| | - Christiane Eichner
- Department of Biological Sciences & Sea Lice Research Centre, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, Bergen, 5008 Norway
| | - Frank Nilsen
- Department of Biological Sciences & Sea Lice Research Centre, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, Bergen, 5008 Norway
| | - Inge Jonassen
- Department of Informatics & Sea Lice Research Centre, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, Bergen, 5008 Norway
| | - Michael Dondrup
- Department of Informatics & Sea Lice Research Centre, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, Bergen, 5008 Norway
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Skern-Mauritzen R, Malde K, Eichner C, Dondrup M, Furmanek T, Besnier F, Komisarczuk AZ, Nuhn M, Dalvin S, Edvardsen RB, Klages S, Huettel B, Stueber K, Grotmol S, Karlsbakk E, Kersey P, Leong JS, Glover KA, Reinhardt R, Lien S, Jonassen I, Koop BF, Nilsen F. The salmon louse genome: Copepod features and parasitic adaptations. Genomics 2021; 113:3666-3680. [PMID: 34403763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Copepods encompass numerous ecological roles including parasites, detrivores and phytoplankton grazers. Nonetheless, copepod genome assemblies remain scarce. Lepeophtheirus salmonis is an economically and ecologically important ectoparasitic copepod found on salmonid fish. We present the 695.4 Mbp L. salmonis genome assembly containing ≈60% repetitive regions and 13,081 annotated protein-coding genes. The genome comprises 14 autosomes and a ZZ-ZW sex chromosome system. Assembly assessment identified 92.4% of the expected arthropod genes. Transcriptomics supported annotation and indicated a marked shift in gene expression after host attachment, including apparent downregulation of genes related to circadian rhythm coinciding with abandoning diurnal migration. The genome shows evolutionary signatures including loss of genes needed for peroxisome biogenesis, presence of numerous FNII domains, and an incomplete heme homeostasis pathway suggesting heme proteins to be obtained from the host. Despite repeated development of resistance against chemical treatments L. salmonis exhibits low numbers of many genes involved in detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ketil Malde
- Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway; Sea Lice Research Centre. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 53, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Christiane Eichner
- Sea Lice Research Centre. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 53, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Michael Dondrup
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 55, 5008 Bergen, Norway
| | - Tomasz Furmanek
- Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Francois Besnier
- Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Anna Zofia Komisarczuk
- Sea Lice Research Centre. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 53, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Michael Nuhn
- EMBL-The European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Sussie Dalvin
- Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Rolf B Edvardsen
- Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Sven Klages
- Sequencing Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bruno Huettel
- Max Planck Genome Centre Cologne, Carl von Linné Weg 10, D-50829 Köln, Germany
| | - Kurt Stueber
- Max Planck Genome Centre Cologne, Carl von Linné Weg 10, D-50829 Köln, Germany
| | - Sindre Grotmol
- Sea Lice Research Centre. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 53, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Egil Karlsbakk
- Sea Lice Research Centre. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 53, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Paul Kersey
- EMBL-The European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, UK; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
| | - Jong S Leong
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3N5, Canada
| | - Kevin A Glover
- Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway; Sea Lice Research Centre. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 53, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Richard Reinhardt
- Max Planck Genome Centre Cologne, Carl von Linné Weg 10, D-50829 Köln, Germany
| | - Sigbjørn Lien
- Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oluf Thesens vei 6, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Inge Jonassen
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 55, 5008 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ben F Koop
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3N5, Canada
| | - Frank Nilsen
- Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway; Sea Lice Research Centre. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 53, 5006 Bergen, Norway.
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Heggland EI, Dondrup M, Nilsen F, Eichner C. Host gill attachment causes blood-feeding by the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) chalimus larvae and alters parasite development and transcriptome. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:225. [PMID: 32375890 PMCID: PMC7201535 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04096-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood-feeding is a common strategy among parasitizing arthropods, including the ectoparasitic salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis), feeding off its salmon host's skin and blood. Blood is rich in nutrients, among these iron and heme. These are essential molecules for the louse, yet their oxidative properties render them toxic to cells if not handled appropriately. Blood-feeding might therefore alter parasite gene expression. METHODS We infected Atlantic salmon with salmon louse copepodids and sampled the lice in two different experiments at day 10 and 18 post-infestation. Parasite development and presence of host blood in their intestines were determined. Lice of similar instar age sampled from body parts with differential access to blood, namely from gills versus lice from skin epidermis, were analysed for gene expression by RNA-sequencing in samples taken at day 10 for both experiments and at day 18 for one of the experiments. RESULTS We found that lice started feeding on blood when becoming mobile preadults if sitting on the fish body; however, they may initiate blood-feeding at the chalimus I stage if attached to gills. Lice attached to gills develop at a slower rate. By differential expression analysis, we found 355 transcripts elevated in lice sampled from gills and 202 transcripts elevated in lice sampled from skin consistent in all samplings. Genes annotated with "peptidase activity" were among the ones elevated in lice sampled from gills, while in the other group genes annotated with "phosphorylation" and "phosphatase" were pervasive. Transcripts elevated in lice sampled from gills were often genes relatively highly expressed in the louse intestine compared with other tissues, while this was not the case for transcripts elevated in lice sampled from skin. In both groups, more than half of the transcripts were from genes more highly expressed after attachment. CONCLUSIONS Gill settlement results in an alteration in gene expression and a premature onset of blood-feeding likely causes the parasite to develop at a slower pace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erna Irene Heggland
- Department of Biological Sciences and Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Michael Dondrup
- Department of Informatics and Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frank Nilsen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christiane Eichner
- Department of Biological Sciences and Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Swenson SA, Moore CM, Marcero JR, Medlock AE, Reddi AR, Khalimonchuk O. From Synthesis to Utilization: The Ins and Outs of Mitochondrial Heme. Cells 2020; 9:E579. [PMID: 32121449 PMCID: PMC7140478 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Heme is a ubiquitous and essential iron containing metallo-organic cofactor required for virtually all aerobic life. Heme synthesis is initiated and completed in mitochondria, followed by certain covalent modifications and/or its delivery to apo-hemoproteins residing throughout the cell. While the biochemical aspects of heme biosynthetic reactions are well understood, the trafficking of newly synthesized heme-a highly reactive and inherently toxic compound-and its subsequent delivery to target proteins remain far from clear. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about heme biosynthesis and trafficking within and outside of the mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Courtney M. Moore
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
| | - Jason R. Marcero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Amy E. Medlock
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
- Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Amit R. Reddi
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
- Parker Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Oleh Khalimonchuk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA;
- Nebraska Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
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Identification and Description of the Key Molecular Components of the Egg Strings of the Salmon Louse ( Lepeophtheirus salmonis). Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10121004. [PMID: 31817028 PMCID: PMC6947537 DOI: 10.3390/genes10121004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis is a parasite of Atlantic salmon and other salmonids. Every year, it causes high costs for the Norwegian aquaculture industry. While the morphology of the female genital tract has been described, knowledge of the molecular basis of reproduction is very limited. We identified nine genes which are expressed exclusively in the female cement gland, the organ responsible for cement production, which is used to hold the eggs together and keep them attached to their mother in egg strings. Six of these genes encode proteins with signal peptides and probably form the main component of the cement. Two other genes are peroxidases, which are probably important in the cement formation. The last gene is not similar to any known protein, but contains a transmembrane domain. A knockdown of all these genes leads to missing or deformed egg strings, preventing reproduction of the lice. The correct assemblage of the cement in the cement gland is essential for successful reproduction of salmon lice. Similar proteins seem to be present in other copepod species, as well.
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Heggland EI, Tröße C, Eichner C, Nilsen F. Heavy and light chain homologs of ferritin are essential for blood-feeding and egg production of the ectoparasitic copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 232:111197. [PMID: 31251953 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, is a hematophagous ectoparasite of salmonid fish. Due to its blood-feeding activity, the louse is exposed to great amounts of iron, which is an essential, yet potentially toxic mineral. The major known iron storage protein is ferritin, which the salmon louse encodes four genes of (LsFer1-4). Two of the ferritins are predicted to be secreted. These are one of the heavy chain homologs (LsFer1) and the light chain homolog (LsFer2). Here, we perform functional studies and characterize the two secreted ferritins. Our results show that knocking down LsFer1 and LsFer2 both negatively affect the parasite's physiology, as it is not able to properly feed and reproduce. In a starvation experiment, the transcript levels of both LsFer1 and LsFer2 decrease during the starvation period. Combined, these results demonstrate the importance of these genes for the normal parasite biology, and they could thus potentially be targets for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erna Irene Heggland
- Department of Biological Sciences & Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Norway.
| | | | - Christiane Eichner
- Department of Biological Sciences & Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Frank Nilsen
- Department of Biological Sciences & Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Norway
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