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Schemczssen-Graeff Z, Silva CR, de Freitas PNN, Constantin PP, Pileggi SAV, Olchanheski LR, Pileggi M. Probiotics as a strategy for addressing helminth infections in low-income countries: Working smarter rather than richer. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 226:116363. [PMID: 38871336 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116363] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Helminth infections, which affect approximately 1.5 billion individuals worldwide (mainly children), are common in low- and middle-income tropical countries and can lead to various diseases. One crucial factor affecting the occurrence of these diseases is the reduced diversity of the gut microbiome due to antibiotic use. This reduced diversity compromises immune health in hosts and alters host gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. Helminth infections may produce complex biochemical signatures that could serve as therapeutic targets. Such therapies include next-generation probiotics, live biotherapeutic products, and biochemical drug approaches. Probiotics can bind ferric hydroxide, reducing the iron that is available to opportunistic microorganisms. They also produce short-chain fatty acids associated with immune response modulation, oral tolerance facilitation, and inflammation reduction. In this review, we examine the potential link between these effects and epigenetic changes in immune response-related genes by analyzing methyltransferase-related genes within probiotic strains discussed in the literature. The identified genes were only correlated with methylation in bacterial genes. Various metabolic interactions among hosts, helminth parasites, and intestinal microbiomes can impact the immune system, potentially aiding or hindering worm expulsion through chemical signaling. Implementing a comprehensive strategy using probiotics may reduce the impact of drug-resistant helminth strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelinda Schemczssen-Graeff
- Comparative Immunology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Caroline Rosa Silva
- Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | | | - Paola Pereira Constantin
- Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Sônia Alvim Veiga Pileggi
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Life Sciences and Health Institute, Structural and Molecular Biology, and Genetics Department, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Luiz Ricardo Olchanheski
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Life Sciences and Health Institute, Structural and Molecular Biology, and Genetics Department, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Marcos Pileggi
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Life Sciences and Health Institute, Structural and Molecular Biology, and Genetics Department, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, Brazil.
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2
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Sun C, Luo F, You Y, Gu M, Yang W, Yi C, Zhang W, Feng Z, Wang J, Hu W. MicroRNA-1 targets ribosomal protein genes to regulate the growth, development and reproduction of Schistosoma japonicum. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:637-649. [PMID: 37355197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Eggs laid by mature female schistosomes are primarily responsible for the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis and critical for transmission. Consequently, elucidating the mechanism of sexual maturation as well as egg production may lead to new strategies for the control of schistosomiasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in multiple biological processes including reproduction in many organisms, yet their roles have not been well characterized in schistosomes. Here, we investigated microRNA-1 (miR-1), which was downregulated gradually in both male and female Schistosoma japonicum after they reached sexually maturity. The expression of miR-1, as shown with quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), was lower in the reproductive organs of adult females compared with the somatic tissues. Overexpression of miR-1 in adult worms destroyed the morphological architecture of reproductive organs and reduced the subsequent oviposition, which may be due to the activation of apoptosis pathways. Through in silico analysis, 34 potential target genes of miR-1 were identified, including five ribosomal protein genes, called rp-s13, rp-l7ae, rp-l14, rp-l11 and rp-s24e. In vitro dual-luciferase reporter gene assays and miRNA overexpression experiments further validated that these ribosomal protein genes were directly regulated by miR-1. In contrast to the gene expression of miR-1, qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization experiments demonstrated these ribosomal protein genes were enriched in the sexual organs of adult females. Using RNA interference to silence the ribosomal protein genes in different developmental stages in a mouse model system, we demonstrated that these miR-1 target genes not only participated in the reproductive development of S. japonicum, but also were required for the growth and survival of the parasite in the early developmental stages. Taken together, our data suggested that miR-1 may affect the growth, reproduction and oviposition of S. japonicum by targeting the ribosomal protein genes, which provides insights for exploration of new anti-schistosome strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengsong Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, No. 12560 Fanhua Avenue, Shushan District, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Fang Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yanmin You
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Mengjie Gu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Wenbin Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Cun Yi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zheng Feng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of China Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology on Parasite-host Interaction, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Fudan University, No.207 Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jipeng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 2005 Songhu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of China Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology on Parasite-host Interaction, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Fudan University, No.207 Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, China; College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, No. 235 Daxue West Road, Saihan District, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
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3
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Hamway Y, Zimmermann K, Blommers MJJ, Sousa MV, Häberli C, Kulkarni S, Skalicky S, Hackl M, Götte M, Keiser J, da Costa CP, Spangenberg T, Azzaoui K. Modulation of Host-Parasite Interactions with Small Molecules Targeting Schistosoma mansoni microRNAs. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:2028-2034. [PMID: 36098656 PMCID: PMC9578036 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00360] [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] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Parasites use different strategies of communication with their hosts. One communication channel that has been studied in recent years is the use of vesicle microRNAs to influence the host immune system by trematodes. sma-microRNA-10, secreted from Schistosoma mansoni, has been shown to influence the fate of host T-cells through manipulation of the NF-κB pathway. We have identified low molecular weight tool compounds that can interfere with this microRNA-mediated manipulation of the host immune system. We used a fragment-based screening approach by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to identify binders to the precursor of the parasite sma-microRNA-10 present in their extracellular vesicles. The small fragments identified were used to select larger molecules. These molecules were shown to counteract the inhibition of NF-κB activity by sma-microRNA-10 in cell-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Hamway
- Institute
for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, 81675Munich, Germany,Center
for Global Health, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675Munich, Germany
| | - Kaspar Zimmermann
- Saverna
Therapeutics AG, Gewerbestrasse
24, 4123Allschwil, Switzerland
| | | | - Mariana V. Sousa
- Institute
for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, 81675Munich, Germany,Center
for Global Health, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675Munich, Germany
| | - Cécile Häberli
- Department
of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123Allschwil, Switzerland,University
of Basel, Petersplatz
1, 4001Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shashank Kulkarni
- EMD
Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Billerica, Massachusetts01821, United States
| | | | | | - Marjo Götte
- Saverna
Therapeutics AG, Gewerbestrasse
24, 4123Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department
of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123Allschwil, Switzerland,University
of Basel, Petersplatz
1, 4001Basel, Switzerland
| | - Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
- Institute
for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, 81675Munich, Germany,Center
for Global Health, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Spangenberg
- Global
Health Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Route de
Crassier 1, 1262Eysins, Switzerland,
| | - Kamal Azzaoui
- Saverna
Therapeutics AG, Gewerbestrasse
24, 4123Allschwil, Switzerland,
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4
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Leija-Montoya AG, González-Ramírez J, Martínez-Coronilla G, Mejía-León ME, Isiordia-Espinoza M, Sánchez-Muñoz F, Chávez-Cortez EG, Pitones-Rubio V, Serafín-Higuera N. Roles of microRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs Encoded by Parasitic Helminths in Human Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158173. [PMID: 35897749 PMCID: PMC9331937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites can lead to cancer development. Infection with the helminthic parasite Schistosoma haematobium can cause cancer of the urinary bladder in humans, and infection with the parasites Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini can promote cholangiocarcinoma. These three pathogens have been categorized as “group 1: carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Additionally, the parasite Schistosoma japonicum has been associated with liver and colorectal cancer and classified as “group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans”. These parasites express regulatory non-coding RNAs as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which modulate genic expression in different biological processes. In this review, we discuss the potential roles of miRNAS and lncRNAs encoded by helminthic parasites that are classified by the IARC as carcinogenic and possibly carcinogenic to humans. The miRNAs of these parasites may be involved in carcinogenesis by modulating the biological functions of the pathogen and the host and by altering microenvironments prone to tumor growth. miRNAs were identified in different host fluids. Additionally, some miRNAs showed direct antitumoral effects. Together, these miRNAs show potential for use in future therapeutic and diagnostic applications. LncRNAs have been less studied in these parasites, and their biological effects in the parasite–host interaction are largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gabriela Leija-Montoya
- Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Centro Cívico, Mexicali 21000, BC, Mexico; (A.G.L.-M.); (G.M.-C.); (M.E.M.-L.)
| | - Javier González-Ramírez
- Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Av. Álvaro Obregón y Calle “G” S/N, Col. Nueva, Mexicali 21100, BC, Mexico;
| | - Gustavo Martínez-Coronilla
- Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Centro Cívico, Mexicali 21000, BC, Mexico; (A.G.L.-M.); (G.M.-C.); (M.E.M.-L.)
| | - María Esther Mejía-León
- Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Centro Cívico, Mexicali 21000, BC, Mexico; (A.G.L.-M.); (G.M.-C.); (M.E.M.-L.)
| | - Mario Isiordia-Espinoza
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Médicas, Departamento de Clínicas, División de Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Los Altos, Universidad de Guadalajara, Av. Rafael Casillas Aceves 1200, Tepatitlán de Morelos 47600, JAL, Mexico;
| | - Fausto Sánchez-Muñoz
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlapan 140080, DF, Mexico;
| | - Elda Georgina Chávez-Cortez
- Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Zotoluca s/n, Fracc. Calafia, Mexicali 21040, BC, Mexico; (E.G.C.-C.); (V.P.-R.)
| | - Viviana Pitones-Rubio
- Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Zotoluca s/n, Fracc. Calafia, Mexicali 21040, BC, Mexico; (E.G.C.-C.); (V.P.-R.)
| | - Nicolas Serafín-Higuera
- Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Zotoluca s/n, Fracc. Calafia, Mexicali 21040, BC, Mexico; (E.G.C.-C.); (V.P.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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5
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Zhong H, Jin Y. Multifunctional Roles of MicroRNAs in Schistosomiasis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:925386. [PMID: 35756064 PMCID: PMC9218868 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.925386] [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: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that is caused by helminths of the genus Schistosoma. The dioecious schistosomes mate and lay eggs after undergoing a complex life cycle. Schistosome eggs are mostly responsible for the transmission of schistosomiasis and chronic fibrotic disease induced by egg antigens is the main cause of the high mortality rate. Currently, chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ) is the only effective treatment against schistosomiasis, although the potential of drug resistance remains a concern. Hence, there is an urgent demand for new and effective strategies to combat schistosomiasis, which is the second most prevalent parasitic disease after malaria. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal regulatory roles in many organisms, including the development and sexual maturation of schistosomes. Thus, miRNAs are potential targets for treatment of schistosomiasis. Moreover, miRNAs can serve as multifunctional “nano-tools” for cross-species delivery in order to regulate host-parasite interactions. In this review, the multifunctional roles of miRNAs in the growth and development of schistosomes are discussed. The various regulatory functions of host-derived and worm-derived miRNAs on the progression of schistosomiasis are also thoroughly addressed, especially the promotional and inhibitory effects on schistosome-induced liver fibrosis. Additionally, the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of schistosomiasis is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhong
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yamei Jin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
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6
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Fontenla S, Langleib M, de la Torre-Escudero E, Domínguez MF, Robinson MW, Tort J. Role of Fasciola hepatica Small RNAs in the Interaction With the Mammalian Host. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:812141. [PMID: 35155272 PMCID: PMC8824774 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.812141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression being involved in many different biological processes and play a key role in developmental timing. Additionally, recent studies have shown that miRNAs released from parasites are capable of regulating the expression of host genes. In the present work, we studied the expression patterns of ncRNAs of various intra-mammalian life-cycle stages of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, as well as those packaged into extracellular vesicles and shed by the adult fluke. The miRNA expression profile of the intra-mammalian stages shows important variations, despite a set of predominant miRNAs that are highly expressed across all stages. No substantial variations in miRNA expression between dormant and activated metacercariae were detected, suggesting that they might not be central players in regulating fluke gene expression during this crucial step in the invasion of the definitive host. We generated a curated pipeline for the prediction of putative target genes that reports only sites conserved between three different prediction approaches. This pipeline was tested against an iso-seq curated database of the 3’ UTR regions of F. hepatica genes to detect miRNA regulation networks within liver fluke. Several functions related to the host immune response or modulation were enriched among the targets of the most highly expressed parasite miRNAs, stressing that they might be key players during the establishment and maintenance of infection. Additionally, we detected fragments derived from the processing of tRNAs, in all developmental stages analyzed, and documented the presence of novel long tRNA fragments enriched in vesicles. We confirmed the presence of at least 5 putative vault RNAs (vtRNAs), that are expressed across different stages and enriched in vesicles. The presence of tRNA fragments and vtRNAs in vesicles raise the possibility that they could be involved in the host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Fontenla
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Santiago Fontenla, ; José Tort,
| | - Mauricio Langleib
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Maria Fernanda Domínguez
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mark W. Robinson
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - José Tort
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Santiago Fontenla, ; José Tort,
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7
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Alizadeh Z, Mahami-Oskouei M, Spotin A, Ahmadpour E, Cai P, Sandoghchian Shotorbani S, Pashazadeh F, Ansari F, Mohammadi H. MicroRNAs in helminth parasites: a systematic review. Curr Mol Med 2021; 22:779-808. [PMID: 34749620 DOI: 10.2174/1566524021666211108114009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are about 22-nucleotide, small, non-coding RNAs that control gene expression post-transcriptionally. Helminth parasites usually express a unique repertoire of genes, including miRNAs, across different developmental stages with subtle regulatory mechanisms. OBJECTIVE There is a necessity to investigate the involvement of miRNAs in the development of parasites, host-parasite interaction, immune evasion and their abilities to govern infection in hosts. miRNAs present in helminth parasites have been summarized in the current systematic review (SR). METHODS Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Embase, and Google Scholar search engine, were searched to identify helminth miRNA studies published from February 1993 till December 2019. Only the published articles in English were included in the study. RESULTS A total of 1769 articles were preliminarily recorded. Following the strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 105 studies were included in this SR. Most of these studies focused on the identification of miRNAs in helminth parasites and/or probing of differentially expressed host miRNA profiles in specific relevant tissues, while 12 studies aimed to detect parasite-derived miRNAs in host circulating system and 15 studies characterized extracellular vesicles (EV)-derived miRNAs secreted by parasites. CONCLUSION In the current SR, information regarding all miRNAs expressed in helminth parasites has been comprehensively provided and the utility of helminth parasites-derived miRNAs in diagnosis and control of parasitic infections has been discussed. Furthermore, functional studies on helminth-derived miRNAs have also been presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Alizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz. Iran
| | | | - Adel Spotin
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz. Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz. Iran
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane. Australia
| | | | - Fariba Pashazadeh
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Health Management and Safety Promotion Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz. Iran
| | - Fereshteh Ansari
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Health Management and Safety Promotion Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz. Iran
| | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Science, Karaj. Iran
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8
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Stitz M, Chaparro C, Lu Z, Olzog VJ, Weinberg CE, Blom J, Goesmann A, Grunau C, Grevelding CG. Satellite-Like W-Elements: Repetitive, Transcribed, and Putative Mobile Genetic Factors with Potential Roles for Biology and Evolution of Schistosoma mansoni. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6361599. [PMID: 34469545 PMCID: PMC8490949 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A large portion of animal and plant genomes consists of noncoding DNA. This part includes tandemly repeated sequences and gained attention because it offers exciting insights into genome biology. We investigated satellite-DNA elements of the platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni, a parasite with remarkable biological features. Schistosoma mansoni lives in the vasculature of humans causing schistosomiasis, a disease of worldwide importance. Schistosomes are the only trematodes that have evolved separate sexes, and the sexual maturation of the female depends on constant pairing with the male. The schistosome karyotype comprises eight chromosome pairs, males are homogametic (ZZ) and females are heterogametic (ZW). Part of the repetitive DNA of S. mansoni are W-elements (WEs), originally discovered as female-specific satellite DNAs in the heterochromatic block of the W-chromosome. Based on new genome and transcriptome data, we performed a reanalysis of the W-element families (WEFs). Besides a new classification of 19 WEFs, we provide first evidence for stage-, sex-, pairing-, gonad-, and strain-specific/preferential transcription of WEs as well as their mobile nature, deduced from autosomal copies of full-length and partial WEs. Structural analyses suggested roles as sources of noncoding RNA-like hammerhead ribozymes, for which we obtained functional evidence. Finally, the variable WEF occurrence in different schistosome species revealed remarkable divergence. From these results, we propose that WEs potentially exert enduring influence on the biology of S. mansoni. Their variable occurrence in different strains, isolates, and species suggests that schistosome WEs may represent genetic factors taking effect on variability and evolution of the family Schistosomatidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stitz
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- IHPE, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | | | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Alexander Goesmann
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
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9
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Abreu FC, Mota EA, Pereira RV, Oliveira VF, Costa MP, Gomes MDS, Jannotti-Passos LK, Borges WC, Guerra-Sá R. Differential expression profiles of miRNAs and their putative targets in Schistosoma mansoni during its life cycle. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2021; 116:e200326. [PMID: 34008737 PMCID: PMC8128373 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by Schistosoma. Due to its complex life cycle, evolutionary position and sexual dimorphism, schistosomes have several mechanisms of gene regulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by targeting mRNA transcripts. OBJECTIVES Here, we tested 12 miRNAs and identified their putative targets using a computational approach. METHODS We performed the expression profiles of a set of miRNAs and their putative targets during the parasite's life cycle by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). FINDINGS Our results showed differential expression patterns of the mature miRNAs sma-miR-250; sma-miR-92a; sma-miR-new_4-3p; sma-miR-new_4-5p; sma-miR-new_5-5p; sma-miR-new_12-5p; sma-miR-new_13-3p and sma-miR-new_13-5p. Interestingly, many of the putative target genes are linked to oxidative phosphorylation and are up-regulated in adult-worms, which led us to suggest that miRNAs might play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes related to energetic metabolism inversion during parasite development. It is noteworthy that the expression of sma-miR-new_13-3p exhibited a negative correlation on SmNADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex I. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our analysis revealed putative miRNA genes related to important biological processes, such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, proteasome regulation, glucose and lipid metabolism, immune system evasion and transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano Cp Abreu
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Ester Alves Mota
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Roberta V Pereira
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Victor F Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Marcela P Costa
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Matheus de S Gomes
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
| | | | - William C Borges
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Renata Guerra-Sá
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
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10
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Gaber DA, Wassef RM, El-Ayat WM, El-Moazen MI, Montasser KA, Swar SA, Amin HAA. Role of a schistosoma haematobium specific microRNA as a predictive and prognostic tool for bilharzial bladder cancer in Egypt. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18844. [PMID: 33139749 PMCID: PMC7606480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74807-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary bladder cancer is a common malignancy in Egypt, thus reliable methodologies are required for screening and early detection. In this study, we analyzed the gene expression of a Schistosoma hematobium specific microRNA "Sha-miR-71a" and mitogen-associated protein kinase-3 (MAPK-3) in the urine samples of 50 bladder cancer patients and 50 patients with benign bilharzial cystitis. Fifty control subjects were also tested. Indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) diagnosed 70% of studied cancer cases as bilharzial associated bladder cancer (BBC), while histopathological examination detected only 18%. Urinary Sha-miR-71a & MAPK-3 revealed enhanced expression in BBC (p-value = 0.001) compared to non-bilharzial bladder cancer (NBBC) cases. Patients with chronic bilharzial cystitis exhibited a significant increase in gene expression compared to those with acute infection (p-value = 0.001). Sha-miR-71a and MAPK-3 showed good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of BBC when analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. They were also prognostic regarding malignancy grade. Both biomarkers showed a positive correlation. Our results revealed that IHA is a reliable test in the diagnosis of bilharziasis associated with bladder cancer, and that Sha-miR-71a and MAPK-3 provide non-invasive specific biomarkers to diagnose BBC, as well as a potential role in testing bilharzial patients for risk to develop cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia A Gaber
- Medical Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Rita M Wassef
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wael M El-Ayat
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Karim A Montasser
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sherif A Swar
- Urology Department, National Institute of Urology and Nephrology, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hebat Allah A Amin
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
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11
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Bischofsberger M, Winkelmann F, Rabes A, Reisinger EC, Sombetzki M. Pathogen-host interaction mediated by vesicle-based secretion in schistosomes. PROTOPLASMA 2020; 257:1277-1287. [PMID: 32462473 PMCID: PMC7449993 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-020-01515-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
As part of the parasite's excretory/secretory system, extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a potent communication tool of schistosomes with their human host to strike the balance between their own survival in a hostile immunological environment and a minimal damage to the host tissue. Their cargo consists of functional proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that facilitate biological processes like migration, nutrient acquisition, or reproduction. The most important impact of the vesicle-mediated communication, however, is the promotion of the parasite survival via mimicking host protein function and directly or indirectly modulating the immune response of the host. Overcoming this shield of immunological adaption in the schistosome-host relation is the aim of current research activities in this field and crucial for the development of a reliable anti-schistosomal therapy. Not least because of their prospective use in clinical applications, research on EVs is now a rapidly expanding field. We herein focus on the current state of knowledge of vesicle-based communication of schistosomes and discussing the role of EVs in facilitating biological processes and immune modulatory properties of EVs considering the different life stages of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Bischofsberger
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Franziska Winkelmann
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anne Rabes
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Emil C Reisinger
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martina Sombetzki
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
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12
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Cardoso TCDS, de Araújo CB, Portilho LG, Mendes LGA, Alves TC, Silva GC, Ribeiro THC, Gandolfi PE, Morais ER, do Amaral LR, Gomes MDS. Computational prediction and characterisation of miRNAs and their pathway genes in human schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2020; 115:e190378. [PMID: 32401998 PMCID: PMC7207159 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760190378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Key genes control the infectivity of the Schistosoma haematobium causing schistosomiasis. A method for understanding the regulation of these genes might help in developing new disease strategies to control schistosomiasis, such as the silencing mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs). The miRNAs have been studied in schistosome species and they play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes, and in parasite-host interactions. However, genome-wide identification and characterisation of novel miRNAs and their pathway genes and their gene expression have not been explored deeply in the genome and transcriptome of S. haematobium. OBJECTIVES Identify and characterise mature and precursor miRNAs and their pathway genes in the S. haematobium genome. METHODS Computational prediction and characterisation of miRNAs and genes involved in miRNA pathway from S. haematobium genome on SchistoDB. Conserved domain analysis was performed using PFAM and CDD databases. A robust algorithm was applied to identify mature miRNAs and their precursors. The characterisation of the precursor miRNAs was performed using RNAfold, RNAalifold and Perl scripts. FINDINGS We identified and characterised 14 putative proteins involved in miRNA pathway including ARGONAUTE and DICER in S. haematobium. Besides that, 149 mature miRNAs and 131 precursor miRNAs were identified in the genome including novel miRNAs. MAIN CONCLUSIONS miRNA pathway occurs in the S. haematobium, including endogenous miRNAs and miRNA pathway components, suggesting a role of this type of non-coding RNAs in gene regulation in the parasite. The results found in this work will open up a new avenue for studying miRNAs in the S. haematobium biology in helping to understand the mechanism of gene silencing in the human parasite Schistosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Cunha de Sousa Cardoso
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlos Bruno de Araújo
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Laysa Gomes Portilho
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Luiz Guilherme Alves Mendes
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Tamires Caixeta Alves
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Caetano Silva
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Thales Henrique Cherubino Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Molecular de Plantas, Departamento de Biologia, Setor de Fisiologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - Peterson Elizandro Gandolfi
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Enyara Rezende Morais
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Laurence Rodrigues do Amaral
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
| | - Matheus de Souza Gomes
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
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13
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Abstract
GTF (Gene Transfer Format) and GFF (General Feature Format) are popular file formats used by bioinformatics programs to represent and exchange information about various genomic features, such as gene and transcript locations and structure. GffRead and GffCompare are open source programs that provide extensive and efficient solutions to manipulate files in a GTF or GFF format. While GffRead can convert, sort, filter, transform, or cluster genomic features, GffCompare can be used to compare and merge different gene annotations. Availability and implementation: GFF utilities are implemented in C++ for Linux and OS X and released as open source under an MIT license ( https://github.com/gpertea/gffread, https://github.com/gpertea/gffcompare).
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Affiliation(s)
- Geo Pertea
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Mihaela Pertea
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
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14
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Abstract
Summary: GTF (Gene Transfer Format) and GFF (General Feature Format) are popular file formats used by bioinformatics programs to represent and exchange information about various genomic features, such as gene and transcript locations and structure. GffRead and GffCompare are open source programs that provide extensive and efficient solutions to manipulate files in a GTF or GFF format. While GffRead can convert, sort, filter, transform, or cluster genomic features, GffCompare can be used to compare and merge different gene annotations. Availability and implementation: GFF utilities are implemented in C++ for Linux and OS X and released as open source under an MIT license (
https://github.com/gpertea/gffread,
https://github.com/gpertea/gffcompare).
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Affiliation(s)
- Geo Pertea
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Mihaela Pertea
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
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15
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Pertea G, Pertea M. GFF Utilities: GffRead and GffCompare. F1000Res 2020. [PMID: 32489650 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.23297.2)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
GTF (Gene Transfer Format) and GFF (General Feature Format) are popular file formats used by bioinformatics programs to represent and exchange information about various genomic features, such as gene and transcript locations and structure. GffRead and GffCompare are open source programs that provide extensive and efficient solutions to manipulate files in a GTF or GFF format. While GffRead can convert, sort, filter, transform, or cluster genomic features, GffCompare can be used to compare and merge different gene annotations. Availability and implementation: GFF utilities are implemented in C++ for Linux and OS X and released as open source under an MIT license ( https://github.com/gpertea/gffread, https://github.com/gpertea/gffcompare).
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Affiliation(s)
- Geo Pertea
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Mihaela Pertea
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
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16
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Hagerty JR, Jolly ER. Heads or tails? Differential translational regulation in cercarial heads and tails of schistosome worms. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224358. [PMID: 31658287 PMCID: PMC6816793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are obligate helminths responsible for over 218 million cases of human schistosomiasis in 78 countries around the world. Infection occurs when free-swimming cercariae penetrate human skin and initiate developmental progression into parasitic obligate worms that consume red blood cells. Transcriptomic studies of infectious cercariae reveal abundant mRNAs associated with energy metabolism and host invasion. However, the cercaria is mostly transcriptionally quiescent, suggesting that most mRNAs are primed prior to cercarial escape from the snail host. The use of transcriptomics to understand protein expression presumes that transcription and translation are functionally coupled and the cercarial stage has categorically been treated as a single unit for -omic analysis. Per contra, the relationship between transcription and translation in infectious cercariae has not been described. To understand the correlation between transcription and translation in cercariae, we separately measured nascent translation levels in cercarial heads, cercarial tails and in the developing schistosomula, the next stage of its life cycle. The loss of the cercarial tail is essential for the transformation from a cercaria to a schistosomulum. We observed that translation was initially limited and the translation rate accelerated during the first 72-hours after tail loss. When we tested nascent translation in cercarial heads, cercarial tails, whole cercariae, and 4-hour schistosomula, we found that translation is significantly upregulated in the cercarial tail when compared to the cercarial head and that translation was undetectable in heads using immunofluorescent image quantification (p = .0005). These data represent a major shift in how we understand the cercarial stage. The cercarial head is mostly transcriptionally and translationally quiescent while being sufficient for progression into a schistosomulum. In addition, transcription and translation are not linked in Schistosoma mansoni cercaria. Thus, our current conceptual approach of treating the cercaria as a single functional unit for -omic studies may be insufficient to understand cercarial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Hagerty
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Emmitt R. Jolly
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Global Health and Disease, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Fromm B, Tosar JP, Aguilera F, Friedländer MR, Bachmann L, Hejnol A. Evolutionary Implications of the microRNA- and piRNA Complement of Lepidodermella squamata (Gastrotricha). Noncoding RNA 2019; 5:E19. [PMID: 30813358 PMCID: PMC6468455 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna5010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrotrichs-'hairy bellies'-are microscopic free-living animals inhabiting marine and freshwater habitats. Based on morphological and early molecular analyses, gastrotrichs were placed close to nematodes, but recent phylogenomic analyses have suggested their close relationship to flatworms (Platyhelminthes) within Spiralia. Small non-coding RNA data on e.g., microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNA) may help to resolve this long-standing question. MiRNAs are short post-transcriptional gene regulators that together with piRNAs play key roles in development. In a 'multi-omics' approach we here used small-RNA sequencing, available transcriptome and genomic data to unravel the miRNA- and piRNA complements along with the RNAi (RNA interference) protein machinery of Lepidodermella squamata (Gastrotricha, Chaetonotida). We identified 52 miRNA genes representing 35 highly conserved miRNA families specific to Eumetazoa, Bilateria, Protostomia, and Spiralia, respectively, with overall high similarities to platyhelminth miRNA complements. In addition, we found four large piRNA clusters that also resemble flatworm piRNAs but not those earlier described for nematodes. Congruently, transcriptomic annotation revealed that the Lepidodermella protein machinery is highly similar to flatworms, too. Taken together, miRNA, piRNA, and protein data support a close relationship of gastrotrichs and flatworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Fromm
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Juan Pablo Tosar
- Functional Genomics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
- Nuclear Research Center, Faculty of Science, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
| | - Felipe Aguilera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160_C, Concepción 3349001, Chile.
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Marc R Friedländer
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lutz Bachmann
- Research group Frontiers in Evolutionary Zoology, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Andreas Hejnol
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway.
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18
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Stroehlein AJ, Gasser RB, Hall RS, Young ND. Interactive online application for the prediction, ranking and prioritisation of drug targets in Schistosoma haematobium. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:605. [PMID: 30482220 PMCID: PMC6257948 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3197-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma that still affects some 200 million people. The mainstay of schistosomiasis control is a single drug, praziquantel. The reliance on this drug carries a risk of resistance emerging to this anthelmintic, such that research towards alternative anti-schistosomal drugs is warranted. In this context, a number of studies have employed computational approaches to prioritise proteins for investigation as drug targets, based on extensive genomic, transcriptomic and small-molecule data now available. METHODS Here, we established a customisable, online application for the prioritisation of drug targets and applied it, for the first time, to the entire inferred proteome of S. haematobium. This application enables selection of weighted and ranked proteins representing potential drug targets, and integrates transcriptional data, orthology and gene essentiality information as well as drug-drug target associations and chemical properties of predicted ligands. RESULTS Using this application, we defined 25 potential drug targets in S. haematobium that associated with approved drugs, and 3402 targets that (although they could not be linked to any compounds) are conserved among a range of socioeconomically important flatworm species and might represent targets for new trematocides. CONCLUSIONS The online application developed here represents an interactive, customisable, expandable and reproducible drug target ranking and prioritisation approach that should be useful for the prediction of drug targets in schistosomes and other species of parasitic worms in the future. We have demonstrated the utility of this online application by predicting potential drug targets in S. haematobium that can now be evaluated using functional genomics tools and/or small molecules, to establish whether they are indeed essential for parasite survival, and to assist in the discovery of novel anti-schistosomal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J. Stroehlein
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Ross S. Hall
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Neil D. Young
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
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