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Domínguez MF, Costábile A, Koziol U, Preza M, Brehm K, Tort JF, Castillo E. Cell repertoire and proliferation of germinative cells of the model cestode Mesocestoides corti. Parasitology 2022; 149:1505-1514. [PMID: 35787303 PMCID: PMC11010542 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000956] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The phylum Platyhelminthes shares a unique population of undifferentiated cells responsible for the proliferation capacity needed for cell renewal, growth, tissue repair and regeneration. These cells have been extensively studied in free-living flatworms, whereas in cestodes the presence of a set of undifferentiated cells, known as germinative cells, has been demonstrated in classical morphology studies, but poorly characterized with molecular biology approaches. Furthermore, several genes have been identified as neoblast markers in free-living flatworms that deserve study in cestode models. Here, different cell types of the model cestode Mesocestoides corti were characterized, identifying differentiated and germinative cells. Muscle cells, tegumental cells, calcareous corpuscle precursor cells and excretory system cells were identified, all of which are non-proliferative, differentiated cell types. Besides those, germinative cells were identified as a population of small cells with proliferative capacity in vivo. Primary cell culture experiments in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), Echinococcus hydatid fluid and hepatocyte conditioned media in non-reductive or reductive conditions confirmed that the germinative cells were the only ones with proliferative capacity. Since several genes have been identified as markers of undifferentiated neoblast cells in free-living flatworms, the expression of pumilio and pL10 genes was analysed by qPCR and in situ hybridization, showing that the expression of these genes was stronger in germinative cells but not restricted to this cell type. This study provides the first tools to analyse and further characterise undifferentiated cells in a model cestode.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernanda Domínguez
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alicia Costábile
- Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Uriel Koziol
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matías Preza
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Klaus Brehm
- University of Würzburg, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, Würzburg, Germany
| | - José F. Tort
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Estela Castillo
- Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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2
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Rawlinson KA, Reid AJ, Lu Z, Driguez P, Wawer A, Coghlan A, Sankaranarayanan G, Buddenborg SK, Soria CD, McCarthy C, Holroyd N, Sanders M, Hoffmann KF, Wilcockson D, Rinaldi G, Berriman M. Daily rhythms in gene expression of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. BMC Biol 2021; 19:255. [PMID: 34852797 PMCID: PMC8638415 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01189-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The consequences of the earth’s daily rotation have led to 24-h biological rhythms in most organisms. Even some parasites are known to have daily rhythms, which, when in synchrony with host rhythms, can optimise their fitness. Understanding these rhythms may enable the development of control strategies that take advantage of rhythmic vulnerabilities. Recent work on protozoan parasites has revealed 24-h rhythms in gene expression, drug sensitivity and the presence of an intrinsic circadian clock; however, similar studies on metazoan parasites are lacking. To address this, we investigated if a metazoan parasite has daily molecular oscillations, whether they reveal how these longer-lived organisms can survive host daily cycles over a lifespan of many years and if animal circadian clock genes are present and rhythmic. We addressed these questions using the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni that lives in the vasculature for decades and causes the tropical disease schistosomiasis. Results Using round-the-clock transcriptomics of male and female adult worms collected from experimentally infected mice, we discovered that ~ 2% of its genes followed a daily pattern of expression. Rhythmic processes included a stress response during the host’s active phase and a ‘peak in metabolic activity’ during the host’s resting phase. Transcriptional profiles in the female reproductive system were mirrored by daily patterns in egg laying (eggs are the main drivers of the host pathology). Genes cycling with the highest amplitudes include predicted drug targets and a vaccine candidate. These 24-h rhythms may be driven by host rhythms and/or generated by a circadian clock; however, orthologs of core clock genes are missing and secondary clock genes show no 24-h rhythmicity. Conclusions There are daily rhythms in the transcriptomes of adult S. mansoni, but they appear less pronounced than in other organisms. The rhythms reveal temporally compartmentalised internal processes and host interactions relevant to within-host survival and between-host transmission. Our findings suggest that if these daily rhythms are generated by an intrinsic circadian clock then the oscillatory mechanism must be distinct from that in other animals. We have shown which transcripts oscillate at this temporal scale and this will benefit the development and delivery of treatments against schistosomiasis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01189-9.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam J Reid
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Patrick Driguez
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK.,King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anna Wawer
- Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - Avril Coghlan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Nancy Holroyd
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Mandy Sanders
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - David Wilcockson
- Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - Gabriel Rinaldi
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
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3
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Assessment of reference genes at six different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni for quantitative RT-PCR. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16816. [PMID: 34413342 PMCID: PMC8376997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96055-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the most used, fast, and reproducible method to confirm large-scale gene expression data. The use of stable reference genes for the normalization of RT-qPCR assays is recognized worldwide. No systematic study for selecting appropriate reference genes for usage in RT-qPCR experiments comparing gene expression levels at different Schistosoma mansoni life-cycle stages has been performed. Most studies rely on genes commonly used in other organisms, such as actin, tubulin, and GAPDH. Therefore, the present study focused on identifying reference genes suitable for RT-qPCR assays across six S. mansoni developmental stages. The expression levels of 25 novel candidates that we selected based on the analysis of public RNA-Seq datasets, along with eight commonly used reference genes, were systematically tested by RT-qPCR across six developmental stages of S. mansoni (eggs, miracidia, cercariae, schistosomula, adult males and adult females). The stability of genes was evaluated with geNorm, NormFinder and RefFinder algorithms. The least stable candidate reference genes tested were actin, tubulin and GAPDH. The two most stable reference genes suitable for RT-qPCR normalization were Smp_101310 (Histone H4 transcription factor) and Smp_196510 (Ubiquitin recognition factor in ER-associated degradation protein 1). Performance of these two genes as normalizers was successfully evaluated with females maintained unpaired or paired to males in culture for 8 days, or with worm pairs exposed for 16 days to double-stranded RNAs to silence a protein-coding gene. This study provides reliable reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis using samples from six different S. mansoni life-cycle stages.
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Liu Y, Wang Z, Huang W, Pang S, Qian L, Zhang Y, Meng J, Xu M, Wang W, Wang Y, Lu B, Zhao Y, Xian J, Bo X, Yue B. De Novo Sequencing and High-Contiguity Genome Assembly of Moniezia expansa Reveals Its Specific Fatty Acid Metabolism and Reproductive Stem Cell Regulatory Network. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:693914. [PMID: 34295839 PMCID: PMC8291045 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.693914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Moniezia expansa (M. expansa) parasitizes the small intestine of sheep and causes inhibited growth and development or even death. Being globally distributed, it causes considerable economic losses to the animal husbandry industry. Here, using Illumina, PacBio and BioNano techniques, we obtain a high-quality genome assembly of M. expansa, which has a total length of 142 Mb, a scaffold N50 length of 7.27 Mb and 8,104 coding genes. M. expansa has a very high body fat content and a specific type of fatty acid metabolism. It cannot synthesize any lipids due to the loss of some key genes involved in fatty acid synthesis, and it may can metabolize most lipids via the relatively complete fatty acid β-oxidation pathway. The M. expansa genome encodes multiple lipid transporters and lipid binding proteins that enable the utilization of lipids in the host intestinal fluid. Although many of its systems are degraded (with the loss of homeobox genes), its reproductive system is well developed. PL10, AGO, Nanos and Pumilio compose a reproductive stem cell regulatory network. The results suggest that the high body lipid content of M. expansa provides an energy source supporting the high fecundity of this parasite. Our study provides insight into host interaction, adaptation, nutrient acquisition, strobilization, and reproduction in this parasite and this is also the first genome published in Anoplocephalidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengrong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Wanlong Huang
- NGS Research Center, Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Pang
- NGS Research Center, Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Lingxiao Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Jimeng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Mengfei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Weiyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Yunfei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Baoyan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Yiyue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Jinwen Xian
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Xinwen Bo
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Bisong Yue
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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5
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Fontenla S, Rinaldi G, Tort JF. Lost and Found: Piwi and Argonaute Pathways in Flatworms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:653695. [PMID: 34123869 PMCID: PMC8191739 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.653695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Platyhelminthes comprise one of the major phyla of invertebrate animals, inhabiting a wide range of ecosystems, and one of the most successful in adapting to parasitic life. Small non-coding RNAs have been implicated in regulating complex developmental transitions in model parasitic species. Notably, parasitic flatworms have lost Piwi RNA pathways but gained a novel Argonaute gene. Herein, we analyzed, contrasted and compared the conservation of small RNA pathways among several free-living species (a paraphyletic group traditionally known as ‘turbellarians’) and parasitic species (organized in the monophyletic clade Neodermata) to disentangle possible adaptations during the transition to parasitism. Our findings showed that complete miRNA and RNAi pathways are present in all analyzed free-living flatworms. Remarkably, whilst all ‘turbellarians’ have Piwi proteins, these were lost in parasitic Neodermantans. Moreover, two clusters of Piwi class Argonaute genes are present in all ‘turbellarians’. Interestingly, we identified a divergent Piwi class Argonaute in free living flatworms exclusively, which we named ‘Fliwi’. In addition, other key proteins of the Piwi pathways were conserved in ‘turbellarians’, while none of them were detected in Neodermatans. Besides Piwi and the canonical Argonaute proteins, a flatworm-specific class of Argonautes (FL-Ago) was identified in the analyzed species confirming its ancestrallity to all Platyhelminthes. Remarkably, this clade was expanded in parasitic Neodermatans, but not in free-living species. These phyla-specific Argonautes showed lower sequence conservation compared to other Argonaute proteins, suggesting that they might have been subjected to high evolutionary rates. However, key residues involved in the interaction with the small RNA and mRNA cleavage in the canonical Argonautes were more conserved in the FL-Agos than in the Piwi Argonautes. Whether this is related to specialized functions and adaptations to parasitism in Neodermatans remains unclear. In conclusion, differences detected in gene conservation, sequence and structure of the Argonaute family suggest tentative biological and evolutionary diversifications that are unique to Platyhelminthes. The remarkable divergencies in the small RNA pathways between free-living and parasitic flatworms indicate that they may have been involved in the adaptation to parasitism of Neodermatans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Fontenla
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Jose F Tort
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay
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6
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You H, Jones MK, Whitworth DJ, McManus DP. Innovations and Advances in Schistosome Stem Cell Research. Front Immunol 2021; 12:599014. [PMID: 33746946 PMCID: PMC7973109 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.599014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes infect about 250 million people globally causing the devastating and persistent disease of schistosomiasis. These blood flukes have a complicated life cycle involving alternating infection of freshwater snail intermediate and definitive mammalian hosts. To survive and flourish in these diverse environments, schistosomes transition through a number of distinct life-cycle stages as a result of which they change their body plan in order to quickly adapt to each new environment. Current research suggests that stem cells, present in adults and larvae, are key in aiding schistosomes to facilitate these changes. Given the recent advances in our understanding of schistosome stem cell biology, we review the key roles that two major classes of cells play in the different life cycle stages during intramolluscan and intramammalian development; these include the germinal cells of sporocysts involved in asexual reproduction in molluscan hosts and the neoblasts of adult worms involved in sexual reproduction in human and other mammalian hosts. These studies shed considerable new light in revealing the stem cell heterogeneity driving the propagation of the schistosome life cycle. We also consider the possibility and value of establishing stem cell lines in schistosomes to advance schistosomiasis research. The availability of such self-renewable resources will provide new platforms to study stem cell behavior and regulation, and to address fundamental aspects of schistosome biology, reproductive development and survival. In turn, such studies will create new avenues to unravel individual gene function and to optimize genome-editing processes in blood flukes, which may lead to the design of novel intervention strategies for schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Deanne J Whitworth
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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7
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Skinner DE, Popratiloff A, Alrefaei YN, Mann VH, Rinaldi G, Brindley PJ. Functional analysis of vasa/PL10-like genes in the ovary of Schistosoma mansoni. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 236:111259. [PMID: 31958469 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The RNA helicase Vasa plays a pivotal role in the development of the germ line. To decipher the functional roles of vasa/PL10-like genes in the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, we performed RNA interference followed by the analysis of the ovary in the adult female. Double-stranded RNA targeting the schistosome vasa-like gene Smvlg1 reduced the volume of the ovary. Changes in morphology of the ovary were analysed using carmine red-staining of the parasites followed by a novel confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM)-based approach to control for natural autofluorescence in female schistosome tissues. The reduction in the ovary volume may have been promoted by the loss of germ cells. By contrast, significant differences were not apparent in the number of eggs produced or hatching rate of eggs laid by the female schistosomes transfected with Smvlg1-specific dsRNA. The findings suggested a role for S. mansoni vasa/PL10-like gene -1 in germ cell development within the schistosome ovary that might impact in the pathogenesis and disease transmission by this neglected tropical disease pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle E Skinner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037 USA; Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anastas Popratiloff
- Nanofabrication and Imaging Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Yousef N Alrefaei
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037 USA; Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, The Public Authority of Applied Education and Training, Shuwaikh, Kuwait
| | - Victoria H Mann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037 USA
| | - Gabriel Rinaldi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037 USA; Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
| | - Paul J Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037 USA.
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8
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Giri BR, Li H, Chen Y, Cheng G. Preliminary evaluation of neoblast-like stem cell factor and transcript expression profiles in Schistosoma japonicum. Acta Trop 2018; 187:57-64. [PMID: 30055172 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts are essential for cell proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. Recent studies have demonstrated that nanos, sox, and vasa-like transcription factors are associated with neoblast-like stem cells in Schistosoma mansoni and play crucial roles in the regulation of worm development. However, these neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts and their expression profiles remain unknown in Schistosoma japonicum. In this study, we identified orthologs of 11 neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts in S. japonicum using bioinformatics and confirmed them by PCR. The expression profiles of neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts revealed that some of them were highly expressed in certain stages. Sex-based expression analysis revealed that nanos, polo-like kinase, PCNA, cyclin B, and H2A showed significantly higher expression in female worms, whereas ago and bruli showed higher expression in male worms. In addition, we noted that ago, bruli, and pp32 exhibited higher expression in the testes, while nanos, polo-like kinase, cyclin B, H2A, and H2B showed notable higher expression in both isolated ovaries and testes. Our preliminary results are expected to provide important information about the regulatory roles of these stem cell factors in parasite development and sexual maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Ranjan Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Huimin Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China.
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9
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Dong Z, Shi C, Chu G, Dong Y, Chen G, Liu D. Morphological changes of gonad and gene expression patterns during desexualization in Dugesia japonica (Platyhelminthes: Dugesiidae). ZOOLOGIA 2018. [DOI: 10.3897/zoologia.35.e21933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Planarians, the representatives of an ancient bilaterian group with complex reproductive system and high regenerative capabilities, are model system suitable for studying the basic molecular requirements for the development of the reproductive system. To further explore the morphological changes of the gonads during desexualization and the molecular events of the genes controlling the reproductive system development in planarians, we have investigated the histological changes of ovary and testis by paraffin section and the expression patterns of reproductive-related genes by the quantitative real-time PCR in Dugesiajaponica Ichikawa & Kawakatsu, 1964, upon starvation. The four genes, Djprps, DjvlgA, DjvlgB and Djnos, have been selected. The research results show that the degradation of ovary changes from outside layer to inside, and the testis changes are opposite; the reproductive capacity of the planarians starts to be damaged from the 17th to 25th days and to disappear completely from the 26th to 37th days during starvation. The expression patterns of the four genes exhibit the obvious dynamic variations during their desexualization, which indicates that these genes might be involved in gonad development.
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10
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Milani L, Pecci A, Cifaldi C, Maurizii MG. PL10 DEAD-Box Protein is Expressed during Germ Cell Differentiation in the Reptile Podarcis sicula (Family Lacertidae). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2017; 328:433-448. [PMID: 28656658 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Among genes involved in the regulation of germ cell differentiation, those of DDX4/Vasa and the Ded1/DDX3 subfamilies encode for DEAD-box ATP-dependent RNA helicases, proteins involved in many mechanisms related to RNA processing. For the first time in reptiles, using specific antibodies at confocal microscopy, we analysed the localization pattern of a Ded1/DDX3 subfamily member in testis and ovary of Podarcis sicula (Ps-PL10) during the reproductive cycle. In testis, Ps-PL10 is expressed in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes and it is not detected in spermatogonia. Differently from Ps-VASA, in round spermatids, Ps-PL10 is not segregated in the chromatoid body but it accumulates in the cytoplasm of residual bodies, and mature spermatozoa are unstained. These observations suggest that in males, Ps-PL10 (1) is involved in spermatogenesis and (2) is then eliminated with residual bodies. In the ovary, Ps-PL10 is present with granules in the cytoplasm of early meiotic cells of the germinal bed (GB), while it is not present in oogonia and somatic cells of the GB stroma. In follicular cells of ovarian follicles, Ps-PL10 expression starts after their fusion with the oocyte. Numerous Ps-PL10 spots are visible in pyriform (nurse-like) cells concomitantly with the protein accumulation in the cytoplasm of differentiating oocyte. In pyriform cells, Ps-PL10 spots are present in the cytoplasm and nuclei, as observed for Ps-VASA, and in the nucleoli, suggesting for Ps-PL10 a role in rRNA processing and in the transport of molecules from the nucleus to cytoplasm and from nurse cells to the oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Milani
- Department of Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pecci
- Department of Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmine Cifaldi
- Department of Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Maurizii
- Department of Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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11
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He S, Zhu L, Liu F, Liu Q, Shao Y, Hua M, Ding H, Shao W, Du Y, Hou X, Ren C, Liu M, Shen J. Functions of the Vasa gene in Schistosoma japonicum as assessed by RNA interference. Gene 2017; 638:13-19. [PMID: 28964895 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.09.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Vasa, an enzyme belonging to the helicase family, contributes to the regulation of reproductive system development in many species. Thus, we hypothesized that the Vasa3 gene may function in the reproductive system of the parasite Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum), which is a major causative agent of schistosomiasis. It is a severe disease globally affecting humans and animals. To test this hypothesis, we firstly conducted whole mount in situ hybridization analyses and found that the S. japonicum Vasa3 (SjVasa3) gene was expressed mainly in the reproductive organs. We then explored the reproductive functions of Vasa3 in S. japonicum using RNA interference (RNAi) techniques. Coupled schistosomes collected from mice 28days post infection (dpi) were transfected three times with SjVasa3-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and cultured in vitro for up to 10days. As measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analysis, levels of SjVasa3 mRNA and protein in Vasa siRNA treated worms were significantly reduced compared with untreated and scrambled siRNA treated worms. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images showed markedly siRNA induced changes in the morphology of the reproductive organs, especially in the female ovary, vitellarium and the male testes. SjVasa3 gene silencing also significantly reduced egg production. These data demonstrate that SjVasa3 is essential in reproductive organ development and egg production in S. japonicum, and could be a potential target for developing novel compounds to treat schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Lulu Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengchun Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjing Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqing Hua
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinan Du
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Giri BR, Du X, Xia T, Chen Y, Li H, Cheng G. Molecular characterization and expression profile of nanos in Schistosoma japonicum and its influence on the expression several mammalian stem cell factors. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1947-1954. [PMID: 28555405 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5476-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells, called neoblasts, are well known for the regenerative capability and developmental plasticity in flatworms. Impressive advancement has been made in free-living flatworms, while in case of its parasitic counterpart, neoblast-like stem cells have attracted recent attention for its self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Nanos is a key conserved post-transcriptional regulator critical for the formation, development, and/or maintenance of the pluripotent germ line stem cell systems in many metazoans including schistosomes. In the present study, we report the molecular cloning and expression of nanos orthologous genes nanos in Schistosoma japonicum (Sjnanos). The cDNA of Sjnanos is 826 bp long, containing an open reading frame (ORF) for 223 amino acid long protein. qRT-PCR analysis shown that Sjnanos was differently expressed in several stages of schistosomes with relatively high level in schistosomula. Additionally, Sjnanos was expressed highly in adult females compared to adult males. Transfection of recombinant plasmid for expressing Sjnanos resulted in significant proliferation and increased expression of several stem cell factors in mammalian cells. Overall, our preliminary study provides the molecular basis to further functionally characterize Sjnanos in S. japonicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Ranjan Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xiaoli Du
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Tianqi Xia
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hao Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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13
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Zeraik AE, Balasco Serrão VH, Romanello L, Torini JR, Cassago A, DeMarco R, Pereira HD. Schistosoma mansoni displays an adenine phosphoribosyltransferase preferentially expressed in mature female gonads and vitelaria. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2017; 214:82-86. [PMID: 28392476 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni depends upon the purine salvage pathway to obtain purine nucleotides; therefore, enzymes from this pathway are essential for parasite survival. Here, we focused on the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) enzyme, which catalyzes the condensation reaction between adenine and PRPP (5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate) to produce AMP and PPi. Kinetic experiments using the heterologously expressed protein of one APRT isoform from S. mansoni indicate that it is catalytically active, and whole-mount in situ hybridization studies indicate that the transcripts of this protein are concentrated in the posterior region of the ovary and vitellaria of female adult worms. Moreover, a phylogenetic analysis has shown that APRT exists in multiple copies originating from gene duplications at the base of the Schistosoma genus. Other enzymes from the purine and pyrimidine salvage pathways have also been found to present multiple copies in schistosomes, suggesting that evolutionary pressure to diversify these genes' families may be related to a specialized role in parasite reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Eliza Zeraik
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, São Paulo University, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil.
| | | | - Larissa Romanello
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, São Paulo University, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Cassago
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, LNNano/CNPEM, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, São Paulo University, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil
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14
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Abstract
Schistosomes are flatworm parasites that claim the lives of more than 200,000 people in poverty-stricken regions every year. Much of the pathology due to infection is the direct result of injury spurred by the parasite's eggs becoming lodged in host tissues. Thus, asking basic questions about germ cell biology may not only identify novel therapeutic approaches, but could also uncover conserved mechanisms that regulate the germline in diverse metazoa. Here, we detail useful methods for studying the schistosome germline including EdU labeling, whole-mount in situ hybridization, and RNA interference. These methods will hopefully lead to new insights about germline development in the schistosome and facilitate new investigators to begin asking questions about these important and fascinating parasites.
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15
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Lu Z, Sessler F, Holroyd N, Hahnel S, Quack T, Berriman M, Grevelding CG. Schistosome sex matters: a deep view into gonad-specific and pairing-dependent transcriptomes reveals a complex gender interplay. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31150. [PMID: 27499125 PMCID: PMC4976352 DOI: 10.1038/srep31150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As a key event for maintaining life cycles, reproduction is a central part of platyhelminth biology. In case of parasitic platyhelminths, reproductive processes can also contribute to pathology. One representative example is the trematode Schistosoma, which causes schistosomiasis, an infectious disease, whose pathology is associated with egg production. Among the outstanding features of schistosomes is their dioecious lifestyle and the pairing-dependent differentiation of the female gonads which finally leads to egg synthesis. To analyze the reproductive biology of Schistosoma mansoni in-depth we isolated complete ovaries and testes from paired and unpaired schistosomes for comparative RNA-seq analyses. Of >7,000 transcripts found in the gonads, 243 (testes) and 3,600 (ovaries) occurred pairing-dependently. Besides the detection of genes transcribed preferentially or specifically in the gonads of both genders, we uncovered pairing-induced processes within the gonads including stem cell-associated and neural functions. Comparisons to work on neuropeptidergic signaling in planarian showed interesting parallels but also remarkable differences and highlights the importance of the nervous system for flatworm gonad differentiation. Finally, we postulated first functional hints for 235 hypothetical genes. Together, these results elucidate key aspects of flatworm reproductive biology and will be relevant for basic as well as applied, exploitable research aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Lu
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Florian Sessler
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Nancy Holroyd
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Steffen Hahnel
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Quack
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
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16
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Lu Z, Quack T, Hahnel S, Gelmedin V, Pouokam E, Diener M, Hardt M, Michel G, Baal N, Hackstein H, Grevelding CG. Isolation, enrichment and primary characterisation of vitelline cells from Schistosoma mansoni obtained by the organ isolation method. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:663-72. [PMID: 25937359 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In the emerging era of post-genomic research on schistosomes, new methods are required to functionally analyse genes of interest in more detail. Among other tools, schistosome cell lines are needed to overcome present research constraints. Based on a recently established organ isolation protocol for adult Schistosoma mansoni, we report here on the successful enrichment of vitellarium tissue and isolation of vitelline cells. Morphological analyses performed by bright field, fluorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed typical features of S1 to S4 stage vitelline cells. In addition, molecular analyses using reverse transcription-PCR confirmed the identity of vitelline cells. Cytological and physiological studies included staining experiments with viability dyes and a neutral lipid stain, as well as calcium (Ca2+) imaging. Together they demonstrated cell viability, the possibility to define the differentiation stage of individual vitelline cells, and the suitability to investigate Ca(2+)-associated processes herein. Finally, fluorescence-activated cell sorting was shown to be a convenient way to separate and enrich S1 to S4 stage vitelline cells. In summary, these results demonstrate the expedience of the organ isolation protocol to obtain vitellarium tissue. Importantly, the protocol allows vitelline cells representing defined differentiation stages to be purified, which can be cultured in vitro and used to investigate diverse aspects of schistosome reproductive biology in the post-genomic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Lu
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Quack
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Steffen Hahnel
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Verena Gelmedin
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ervice Pouokam
- Institute for Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Diener
- Institute for Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Hardt
- BFS, Imaging Unit, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Michel
- Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, BFS FACS Unit, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nelli Baal
- Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, BFS FACS Unit, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Holger Hackstein
- Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, BFS FACS Unit, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
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Diao Y, Hua M, Shao Y, Huang W, Liu M, Ren C, Ji Y, Chen J, Shen J. Preliminary characterization and expression of Vasa-like gene in Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:2679-87. [PMID: 25899325 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4473-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The Vasa gene is a vital germline marker to study the origin and development of germ cells and gonads in many organisms. Until now, little information was available about the characteristics of the Vasa gene in Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum). In this study, we cloned the open reading frame (ORF) of the S. japonicum Vasa-like gene (Sj-Vasa). The expression pattern and tissue localization of Sj-Vasa were also analyzed. Our results showed that Sj-Vasa shared the general feature of DEAD-box family member proteins. Sj-Vasa was transcribed and expressed throughout the S. japonicum life cycle with transcription exhibiting high levels at day 24 in both male and female worms, and the expression level in the female was always higher than that in the male. Sj-Vasa protein was localized in a variety of tissues of adult schistosomes, including the gonads (ovary, vitellarium, and testes), the subtegument, and some cells of the parenchyma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of preliminary characterization and expression of the Vasa-like gene that may play an important role in the development of the worm, especially in reproductive organs of S. japonicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Diao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
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18
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Pseudotyped murine leukemia virus for schistosome transgenesis: approaches, methods and perspectives. Transgenic Res 2014; 23:539-56. [DOI: 10.1007/s11248-013-9779-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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19
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How might flukes and tapeworms maintain genome integrity without a canonical piRNA pathway? Trends Parasitol 2014; 30:123-9. [PMID: 24485046 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Revised: 12/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Surveillance by RNA interference is central to controlling the mobilization of transposable elements (TEs). In stem cells, Piwi argonaute (Ago) proteins and associated proteins repress mobilization of TEs to maintain genome integrity. This defense mechanism targeting TEs is termed the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway. In this opinion article, we draw attention to the situation that the genomes of cestodes and trematodes have lost the piwi and vasa genes that are hallmark characters of the germline multipotency program. This absence of Piwi-like Agos and Vasa helicases prompts the question: how does the germline of these flatworms withstand mobilization of TEs? Here, we present an interpretation of mechanisms likely to defend the germline integrity of parasitic flatworms.
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20
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Zeraik AE, Rinaldi G, Mann VH, Popratiloff A, Araujo APU, DeMarco R, Brindley PJ. Septins of Platyhelminths: identification, phylogeny, expression and localization among developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2602. [PMID: 24367716 PMCID: PMC3868516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Septins are a family of eukaryotic GTP binding proteins conserved from yeasts to humans. Originally identified in mutants of budding yeast, septins participate in diverse cellular functions including cytokinesis, organization of actin networks, cell polarity, vesicle trafficking and many others. Septins assemble into heteroligomers to form filaments and rings. Here, four septins of Schistosoma mansoni are described, which appear to be conserved within the phylum Platyhelminthes. These orthologues were related to the SEPT5, SEPT10 and SEPT7 septins of humans, and hence we have termed the schistosome septins SmSEPT5, SmSEPT10, SmSEPT7.1 and SmSEPT7.2. Septin transcripts were detected throughout the developmental cycle of the schistosome and a similar expression profile was observed for septins in the stages examined, consistent with concerted production of these proteins to form heterocomplexes. Immunolocalization analyses undertaken with antibodies specific for SmSEPT5 and SmSEPT10 revealed a broad tissue distribution of septins in the schistosomulum and colocalization of septin and actin in the longitudinal and circular muscles of the sporocyst. Ciliated epidermal plates of the miracidium were rich in septins. Expression levels for these septins were elevated in germ cells in the miracidium and sporocyst. Intriguingly, septins colocalize with the protonephridial system of the cercaria, which extends laterally along the length of this larval stage. Together, the findings revealed that schistosomes expressed several septins which likely form filaments within the cells, as in other eukaryotes. Identification and localization demonstrating a broad distribution of septins across organs and tissues of schistosome contributes towards the understanding of septins in schistosomes and other flatworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana E. Zeraik
- Departamento de Física e Informática, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Tropical and Infectious Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Gabriel Rinaldi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Tropical and Infectious Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victoria H. Mann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Tropical and Infectious Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Anastas Popratiloff
- Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Ana P. U. Araujo
- Departamento de Física e Informática, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- Departamento de Física e Informática, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (RDM); (PJB)
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Tropical and Infectious Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- * E-mail: (RDM); (PJB)
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Wang B, Collins JJ, Newmark PA. Functional genomic characterization of neoblast-like stem cells in larval Schistosoma mansoni. eLife 2013; 2:e00768. [PMID: 23908765 PMCID: PMC3728622 DOI: 10.7554/elife.00768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes infect hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. Transmission of these parasites relies on a stem cell-driven, clonal expansion of larvae inside a molluscan intermediate host. How this novel asexual reproductive strategy relates to current models of stem cell maintenance and germline specification is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that this proliferative larval cell population (germinal cells) shares some molecular signatures with stem cells from diverse organisms, in particular neoblasts of planarians (free-living relatives of schistosomes). We identify two distinct germinal cell lineages that differ in their proliferation kinetics and expression of a nanos ortholog. We show that a vasa/PL10 homolog is required for proliferation and maintenance of both populations, whereas argonaute2 and a fibroblast growth factor receptor-encoding gene are required only for nanos-negative cells. Our results suggest that an ancient stem cell-based developmental program may have enabled the evolution of the complex life cycle of parasitic flatworms. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00768.001 Schistosomiasis—a disease caused by parasitic flatworms known as schistosomes—affects more than 200 million people worldwide, mainly in tropical regions, and in public health importance is second only to malaria (according to the World Health Organization). Chronic infection leads to damage to internal organs, and the disease is responsible for roughly 250,000 deaths each year. The schistosome parasite has a complex life cycle, and the worms are capable of infecting mammals during just one stage of this cycle. Infection occurs through contact with contaminated freshwater, with the infectious form of the parasite burrowing through skin. Once inside the body, the parasites mature into adults, before reproducing sexually and laying eggs that are excreted by their host back into the water supply. However, to generate the form of the parasite that can infect mammals, schistosomes must first infect an intermediate host, namely a freshwater snail. When the larval form of the parasite—which cannot infect mammals—enters the snail, the larvae undergo an unusual type of asexual embryogenesis. This results in thousands of parasites that are capable of infecting mammals. Studies suggest that a population of cells known as germinal cells are responsible for this transformation and replication process, but little is known about these cells at the molecular level. Here, Wang et al. report the gene expression profile of these cells in a species of schistosome, and use RNA-mediated silencing techniques to explore the functions of the genes. This analysis revealed that the germinal cells have a molecular signature similar to that of neoblasts—adult pluripotent stem cells found in free-living flatworms such as planarians. Neoblasts can develop into any cell type in the body, enabling planarians to repair or even replace damaged body parts. The similarity between neoblasts and germinal cells led Wang et al. to suggest that schistosomes may have evolved their parasitic life cycle partly by adapting a program of development based on stem cells in non-parasitic worms. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00768.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , United States ; Institute for Genomic Biology , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , United States
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22
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Current drug targets for helminthic diseases. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:1819-31. [PMID: 23529336 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3383-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
More than 2 billion people are infected with helminth parasites across the globe. The burgeoning drug resistance against current anthelmintics in parasitic worms of humans and livestock requires urgent attention to tackle these recalcitrant worms. This review focuses on the advancements made in the area of helminth drug target discovery especially from the last few couple of decades. It highlights various approaches made in this field and enlists the potential drug targets currently being pursued to target economically important helminth species both from human as well as livestock to combat disease pathology of schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and other important macroparasitic diseases. Research in the helminths study is trending to identify potential and druggable targets through genomic, proteomic, biochemical, biophysical, in vitro experiments, and in vivo experiments in animal models. The availability of major helminths genome sequences and the subsequent availability of genome-scale functional datasets through in silico search and prioritization are expected to guide the experimental work necessary for target-based drug discovery. Organized and documented list of drug targets from various helminths of economic importance have been systematically covered in this review for further exploring their use and applications, which can give physicians and veterinarians effective drugs in hand to enable them control worm infections.
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23
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Adult somatic stem cells in the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Nature 2013; 494:476-9. [PMID: 23426263 PMCID: PMC3586782 DOI: 10.1038/nature11924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is among the most prevalent human parasitic diseases, affecting more than 200 million people worldwide1. The etiological agents of this disease are trematode flatworms (Schistosoma) that live and lay eggs within the vasculature of the host. These eggs lodge in host tissues, causing inflammatory responses that are the primary cause of morbidity. Because these parasites can live and reproduce within human hosts for decades2, elucidating the mechanisms that promote their longevity is of fundamental importance. Although adult pluripotent stem cells, called neoblasts, drive long-term homeostatic tissue maintenance in long-lived free-living flatworms3,4 (e.g., planarians), and neoblast-like cells have been described in some parasitic tapeworms5, little is known about whether similar cell types exist in any trematode species. Here, we describe a population of neoblast-like cells in the trematode Schistosoma mansoni. These cells resemble planarian neoblasts morphologically and share their ability to proliferate and differentiate into derivatives of multiple germ layers. Capitalizing on available genomic resources6,7 and RNAseq-based gene expression profiling, we find that these schistosome neoblast-like cells express a fibroblast growth factor receptor ortholog. Using RNA interference we demonstrate that this gene is required for the maintenance of these neoblast-like cells. Our observations suggest that adaptation of developmental strategies shared by free-living ancestors to modern-day schistosomes likely contributed to the success of these animals as long-lived obligate parasites. We expect that future studies deciphering the function of these neoblast-like cells will have important implications for understanding the biology of these devastating parasites.
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