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Nedvědová Š, De Stefano D, Walker O, Hologne M, Miele AE. Revisiting Schistosoma mansoni Micro-Exon Gene (MEG) Protein Family: A Tour into Conserved Motifs and Annotation. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1275. [PMID: 37759676 PMCID: PMC10526429 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome sequencing of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni revealed an interesting gene superfamily, called micro-exon gene (meg), that encodes secreted MEG proteins. The genes are composed of short exons (3-81 base pairs) regularly interspersed with long introns (up to 5 kbp). This article recollects 35 S. mansoni specific meg genes that are distributed over 7 autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes and that code for at least 87 verified MEG proteins. We used various bioinformatics tools to produce an optimal alignment and propose a phylogenetic analysis. This work highlighted intriguing conserved patterns/motifs in the sequences of the highly variable MEG proteins. Based on the analyses, we were able to classify the verified MEG proteins into two subfamilies and to hypothesize their duplication and colonization of all the chromosomes. Together with motif identification, we also proposed to revisit MEGs' common names and annotation in order to avoid duplication, to help the reproducibility of research results and to avoid possible misunderstandings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Štěpánka Nedvědová
- UMR 5280 Institute of Analytical Sciences, Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (Š.N.); (O.W.); (M.H.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Davide De Stefano
- UMR 5280 Institute of Analytical Sciences, Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (Š.N.); (O.W.); (M.H.)
| | - Olivier Walker
- UMR 5280 Institute of Analytical Sciences, Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (Š.N.); (O.W.); (M.H.)
| | - Maggy Hologne
- UMR 5280 Institute of Analytical Sciences, Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (Š.N.); (O.W.); (M.H.)
| | - Adriana Erica Miele
- UMR 5280 Institute of Analytical Sciences, Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; (Š.N.); (O.W.); (M.H.)
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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2
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Padalino G, Celatka CA, Rienhoff Jr. HY, Kalin JH, Cole PA, Lassalle D, Forde-Thomas J, Chalmers IW, Brancale A, Grunau C, Hoffmann KF. Chemical modulation of Schistosoma mansoni lysine specific demethylase 1 (SmLSD1) induces wide-scale biological and epigenomic changes. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:146. [PMID: 37520936 PMCID: PMC10375057 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18826.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm species responsible for the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis, undergoes strict developmental regulation of gene expression that is carefully controlled by both genetic and epigenetic processes. As inhibition of S. mansoni epigenetic machinery components impairs key transitions throughout the parasite's digenetic lifecycle, a greater understanding of how epi-drugs affect molecular processes in schistosomes could lead to the development of new anthelmintics. Methods: In vitro whole organism assays were used to assess the anti-schistosomal activity of 39 Homo sapiens Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (HsLSD1) inhibitors on different parasite life cycle stages. Moreover, tissue-specific stains and genomic analysis shed light on the effect of these small molecules on the parasite biology. Results: Amongst this collection of small molecules, compound 33 was the most potent in reducing ex vivo viabilities of schistosomula, juveniles, miracidia and adults. At its sub-lethal concentration to adults (3.13 µM), compound 33 also significantly impacted oviposition, ovarian as well as vitellarian architecture and gonadal/neoblast stem cell proliferation. ATAC-seq analysis of adults demonstrated that compound 33 significantly affected chromatin structure (intragenic regions > intergenic regions), especially in genes differentially expressed in cell populations (e.g., germinal stem cells, hes2 + stem cell progeny, S1 cells and late female germinal cells) associated with these ex vivo phenotypes. KEGG analyses further highlighted that chromatin structure of genes associated with sugar metabolism as well as TGF-beta and Wnt signalling were also significantly perturbed by compound 33 treatment. Conclusions: This work confirms the importance of histone methylation in S. mansoni lifecycle transitions, suggesting that evaluation of LSD1 - targeting epi-drugs may facilitate the search for next-generation anti-schistosomal drugs. The ability of compound 33 to modulate chromatin structure as well as inhibit parasite survival, oviposition and stem cell proliferation warrants further investigations of this compound and its epigenetic target SmLSD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | | | | | - Jay H. Kalin
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Philip A. Cole
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Josephine Forde-Thomas
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Iain W. Chalmers
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | | | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
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Epigenetic Markers Associated with Schistosomiasis. Helminthologia 2021; 58:28-40. [PMID: 33664616 PMCID: PMC7912237 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is important to consider the use of the epigenome as source of complementary data for genome knowledge, which is suitable for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Usually, a laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis is performed by means of 1. Egg detection in the stool or urine by microscopy remains with limited sensitivity; 2. Immunological screening, in which positivity persists after treatment, and 3. Molecular appraisals prevail over the disadvantages of the currently used methods. In this sense, molecular methodologies are being developed based on epigenetic biomarkers, aiming to improve the diagnosis of the disease and clinical treatment as early as possible to prevent the occurrence of serious liver damage.
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Long non-coding RNA levels can be modulated by 5-azacytidine in Schistosoma mansoni. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21565. [PMID: 33299037 PMCID: PMC7725772 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78669-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni is a flatworm that causes schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide. There is only one drug indicated for treatment, praziquantel, which may lead to parasite resistance emergence. The ribonucleoside analogue 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) is an epigenetic drug that inhibits S. mansoni oviposition and ovarian development through interference with parasite transcription, translation and stem cell activities. Therefore, studying the downstream pathways affected by 5-AzaC in S. mansoni may contribute to the discovery of new drug targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with low or no protein coding potential that have been involved in reproduction, stem cell maintenance and drug resistance. We have recently published a catalog of lncRNAs expressed in S. mansoni life-cycle stages, tissues and single cells. However, it remains largely unknown if lncRNAs are responsive to epigenetic drugs in parasites. Here, we show by RNA-Seq re-analyses that hundreds of lncRNAs are differentially expressed after in vitro 5-AzaC treatment of S. mansoni females, including intergenic, antisense and sense lncRNAs. Many of these lncRNAs belong to co-expression network modules related to male metabolism and are also differentially expressed in unpaired compared with paired females and ovaries. Half of these lncRNAs possess histone marks at their genomic loci, indicating regulation by histone modification. Among a selected set of 8 lncRNAs, half of them were validated by RT-qPCR as differentially expressed in females, and some of them also in males. Interestingly, these lncRNAs are also expressed in other life-cycle stages. This study demonstrates that many lncRNAs potentially involved with S. mansoni reproductive biology are modulated by 5-AzaC and sheds light on the relevance of exploring lncRNAs in response to drug treatments in parasites.
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Augusto RDC, Duval D, Grunau C. Effects of the Environment on Developmental Plasticity and Infection Success of Schistosoma Parasites - An Epigenetic Perspective. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1475. [PMID: 31354641 PMCID: PMC6632547 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence of how environmental cues affect the phenotypes of, and compatibility between Schistosoma mansoni and their hosts come from studies in environmental parasitology and research on host diet and chemotherapeutic treatment. Schistosomes deal with a multitude of signals from the water environment as well as cues that come from their hosts, particularly in response to molecules that serve to recognize and destroy them, i.e., those molecules that arise from their hosts' immune systems. These interactions shape, not only the parasite's morphology, metabolism and behavior in the short-term, but also their infection success and development into different stage-specific phenotypes later in their life cycle, through the modification of the parasite's inheritance system. Developmental phenotypic plasticity of S. mansoni is based on epigenetic mechanisms which are also sensitive to environmental cues, but are poorly understood. Here, we argue that specific cues from the environment could lead to changes in parasite development and infectivity, and consequently, environmental signals that come from environmental control measures could be used to influence S. mansoni dynamics and transmission. This approach poses a challenge since epigenetic modification can lead to unexpected and undesired outcomes. However, we suggest that a better understanding of how environmental cues are interpreted by epigenome during schistosome development and host interactions could potentially be applied to control parasite's virulence. We review evidence about the role of environmental cues on the phenotype of S. mansoni and the compatibility between this parasite and its intermediate and definitive hosts.
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Sanogo B, Yuan D, Zeng X, Zhang Y, Wu Z. RETRACTED: Diversity and Compatibility of Human Schistosomes and Their Intermediate Snail Hosts. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:493-510. [PMID: 29627269 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal)
This article has been retracted at the request of the authors: Benjamin Sanogo, Dongjuan Yuan, Xin Zeng, Yanhua Zhang, and Zhongdao Wu.
Our article reviews the evolution, geography, diversity, genetics and host-compatibility of human schistosomes and their hosts. It has come to our attention that readers have found some of the content in the article to be confusing or misleading. As authors, we have tried our best to share our scientific discovery and understanding faithfully, but we also agree that scientific reports should stand up to doubt and discussion. After serious consideration, to avoid confusion in the Schistosoma research community, we are retracting the Review. We apologize to the community for any inconvenience we have caused.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Sanogo
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, China; Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dongjuan Yuan
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, China; Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xin Zeng
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, China; Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yanhua Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, China; Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, China; Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, China
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7
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Muraille E. Diversity Generator Mechanisms Are Essential Components of Biological Systems: The Two Queen Hypothesis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:223. [PMID: 29487592 PMCID: PMC5816788 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Diversity is widely known to fuel adaptation and evolutionary processes and increase robustness at the population, species and ecosystem levels. The Neo-Darwinian paradigm proposes that the diversity of biological entities is the consequence of genetic changes arising spontaneously and randomly, without regard for their usefulness. However, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that the evolutionary process has shaped mechanisms, such as horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, meiosis and the adaptive immune system, which has resulted in the regulated generation of diversity among populations. Though their origins are unrelated, these diversity generator (DG) mechanisms share common functional properties. They (i) contribute to the great unpredictability of the composition and/or behavior of biological systems, (ii) favor robustness and collectivism among populations and (iii) operate mainly by manipulating the systems that control the interaction of living beings with their environment. The definition proposed here for DGs is based on these properties and can be used to identify them according to function. Interestingly, prokaryotic DGs appear to be mainly reactive, as they generate diversity in response to environmental stress. They are involved in the widely described Red Queen/arms race/Cairnsian dynamic. The emergence of multicellular organisms harboring K selection traits (longer reproductive life cycle and smaller population size) has led to the acquisition of a new class of DGs that act anticipatively to stress pressures and generate a distinct dynamic called the “White Queen” here. The existence of DGs leads to the view of evolution as a more “intelligent” and Lamarckian-like process. Their repeated selection during evolution could be a neglected example of convergent evolution and suggests that some parts of the evolutionary process are tightly constrained by ecological factors, such as the population size, the generation time and the intensity of selective pressure. The ubiquity of DGs also suggests that regulated auto-generation of diversity is a fundamental property of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Muraille
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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8
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Portet A, Pinaud S, Tetreau G, Galinier R, Cosseau C, Duval D, Grunau C, Mitta G, Gourbal B. Integrated multi-omic analyses in Biomphalaria-Schistosoma dialogue reveal the immunobiological significance of FREP-SmPoMuc interaction. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 75:16-27. [PMID: 28257854 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The fresh water snail Biomphalaria glabrata is one of the vectors of the trematode pathogen Schistosoma mansoni, which is one of the agents responsible of human schistosomiasis. In this host-parasite interaction, co-evolutionary dynamic results into an infectivity mosaic known as compatibility polymorphism. Integrative approaches including large scale molecular approaches have been conducted in recent years to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying compatibility. This review presents the combination of integrated Multi-Omic approaches leading to the discovery of two repertoires of polymorphic and/or diversified interacting molecules: the parasite antigens S. mansoni polymorphic mucins (SmPoMucs) and the B. glabrata immune receptors fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs). We argue that their interactions may be major components for defining the compatible/incompatible status of a specific snail/schistosome combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Portet
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Guillaume Tetreau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Richard Galinier
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Céline Cosseau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Guillaume Mitta
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France.
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Cosseau C, Wolkenhauer O, Padalino G, Geyer KK, Hoffmann KF, Grunau C. (Epi)genetic Inheritance in Schistosoma mansoni: A Systems Approach. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:285-294. [PMID: 28040375 PMCID: PMC6125318 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The G×E concept, in which genotype × environment interactions bring about the phenotype, is widely used to describe biological phenomena. We propose to extend the initial notion of the concept, replacing G by 'inheritance system'. This system, comprised of both genome and epigenome components, collectively interacts with the environment to shape the development of a phenotype. In the case of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, responsible for intestinal bilharzia, the phenotypic trait that is most relevant to global health is infection success. Taking a systems biology view we show how genetic and epigenetic interactions result in ephemeral, but also heritable, phenotypic variations that are important for infection success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Cosseau
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Dept of Systems Biology & Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, D-18051 Rostock, Germany; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Kathrin K Geyer
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Christoph Grunau
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France.
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10
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Galinier R, Roger E, Moné Y, Duval D, Portet A, Pinaud S, Chaparro C, Grunau C, Genthon C, Dubois E, Rognon A, Arancibia N, Dejean B, Théron A, Gourbal B, Mitta G. A multistrain approach to studying the mechanisms underlying compatibility in the interaction between Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005398. [PMID: 28253264 PMCID: PMC5349689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, numerous studies have sought to better understand the mechanisms underlying the compatibility between Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni. The developments of comparative transcriptomics, comparative genomics, interactomics and more targeted approaches have enabled researchers to identify a series of candidate genes. However, no molecular comparative work has yet been performed on multiple populations displaying different levels of compatibility. Here, we seek to fill this gap in the literature. We focused on B. glabrata FREPs and S. mansoni SmPoMucs, which were previously demonstrated to be involved in snail/schistosome compatibility. We studied the expression and polymorphisms of these factors in combinations of snail and schistosome isolates that display different levels of compatibility. We found that the polymorphism and expression levels of FREPs and SmPoMucs could be linked to the compatibility level of S. mansoni. These data and our complementary results obtained by RNA-seq of samples from various snail strains indicate that the mechanism of compatibility is much more complex than previously thought, and that it is likely to be highly variable within and between populations. This complexity must be taken into account if we hope to identify the molecular pathways that are most likely to be good targets for strategies aimed at blocking transmission of the parasite through the snail intermediate host. Schistosomiasis is the second most widespread human tropical parasitic disease after malaria. It is caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, and poses a considerable threat for human health in numerous Asian, African and South American countries. The World Health Organization has set the goal of eradicating schistosomiasis by 2025. However, no vaccine is available, and we currently have only one drug (praziquantel) that can effectively and efficiently treat the disease. As treatment by mass drug administration would enhance the risk of drug resistance in schistosome parasites, complementary strategies to fight this parasitic disease are urgently needed. Freshwater snails of the Biomphalaria genus act as intermediate hosts in the transmission of the schistosome species. Thus, learning more about the mechanisms of the interaction between these snails and the schistosomes could critically facilitate the identification of potential new candidate molecules that may be targeted to prevent schistosome transmission in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Galinier
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Emmanuel Roger
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Yves Moné
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Anaïs Portet
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Clémence Genthon
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, Montpellier Genomics and Bioinformatics Facility, Montpellier, France
| | - Emeric Dubois
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, Montpellier Genomics and Bioinformatics Facility, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Rognon
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Nathalie Arancibia
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Bernard Dejean
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - André Théron
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail: (BG); (GM)
| | - Guillaume Mitta
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail: (BG); (GM)
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11
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Liu W. Epigenetics in Schistosomes: What We Know and What We Need Know. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:149. [PMID: 27891322 PMCID: PMC5104962 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are metazoan parasites and can cause schistosomiasis. Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs. Some enzymes involved in epigenetic modification and microRNA processes have been developed as drugs to treat the disease. Compared with humans and vertebrates, an in-depth understanding of epigenetic modifications in schistosomes is starting to be realized. DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs play important roles in the development and reproduction of schistosomes and in interactions between the host and schistosomes. Therefore, exploring and investigating the epigenetic modifications in schistosomes will facilitate drug development and therapy for schistosomiasis. Here, we review the role of epigenetic modifications in the development, growth and reproduction of schistosomes, and the interactions between the host and schistosome. We further discuss potential epigenetic targets for drug discovery for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Liu
- Department of Avian Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science Shanghai, China
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Gourbal B, Théron A, Grunau C, Duval D, Mitta G. Polymorphic Mucin-Like Proteins in Schistosoma mansoni, a Variable Antigen and a Key Component of the Compatibility Between the Schistosome and Its Snail Host. Results Probl Cell Differ 2016; 57:91-108. [PMID: 26537378 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-20819-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The arms race between vertebrate hosts and parasites has led to diversification systems able to generate huge repertoires of immune recognition receptors and antigenic variants. Until recently, the invertebrate immunity was considered to be poorly specific, and consequently, antigenic variability was not expected to be high for their respective parasites. In the present chapter, we show how the study of the interaction between the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and its parasite Schistosome mansoni has shaken this paradigm. We show that the fate of the interaction between the snail and its parasite is at least partly the result of the concordance of highly variable repertoires of immune recognition receptors in the snail and corresponding antigenic variants in the parasite. We call these antigenic variants of the schistosome Schistosoma mansoni polymorphic mucins (SmPoMucs). We show that their high level of diversification is the result of a complex cascade of mechanisms, thus presenting evidence for antigenic variation in a parasite infecting an invertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Gourbal
- CNRS, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions, UMR 5244, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 58 avenue Paul Alduy, Perpignan, 66860, France.
| | - André Théron
- CNRS, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions, UMR 5244, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 58 avenue Paul Alduy, Perpignan, 66860, France.
| | - Christoph Grunau
- CNRS, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions, UMR 5244, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 58 avenue Paul Alduy, Perpignan, 66860, France.
| | - David Duval
- CNRS, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions, UMR 5244, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 58 avenue Paul Alduy, Perpignan, 66860, France.
| | - Guillaume Mitta
- CNRS, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions, UMR 5244, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 58 avenue Paul Alduy, Perpignan, 66860, France.
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