Project description:Schistosome foxA is enriched in the parasites' stem/progenitor cells and the esophageal gland, an anterior digestive organ required for their survival. However, the molecular makeup of the esophageal gland remains unclear. Here, we took a comparative transcriptomics approach using foxA knockdown adult parasites. Differential expression analysis reveals 37 genes commonly downregulated in foxA knockdown males and females, most of which show high enrichment in the esophageal gland.
Project description:Blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda, Digenea) are responsible for the chronic debilitating disease schistosomiasis / bilharzia, widely considered to be second only to malaria as a global health problem and an incalculable drain on the economic development of endemic countries. Since 1994, the World Health Organization has supported a genome initiative for Schistosoma, the Schistosoma Genome Network, aimed at identifying new targets for drug and vaccine development, understanding the molecular basis of parasite metabolism and development and determining biological variation. The study of small-RNAs as key players in the regulation of gene expression differentiation is important to the understanding of the parasites biology. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/
Project description:The schistosome homolog of ftz-f1 is a nuclear receptor. In order to understand the function of Smftz-f1, we performed RNAseq with samples taken on two days, Day 5 and Day 9, on either control (RNAi) or Smftz-f1 (RNAi) parasites to see the transcriptional consequences of Smftz-f1 RNAi and to find potential transcriptional targets.
Project description:The schistosome homolog of hnf4 is involved in parasite blood feeding and stem cell biology. In order to understand the function of hnf4, we performed RNAseq on either control(RNAi) or hnf4(RNAi) parasites to see the transcriptional consequences of hnf4 RNAi
Project description:A kinetic model of S. mansoni glycolysis in which we can vary the allosteric regulation on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Because not enough kinetic data are available for all the schistosome enzymes to construct a complete schistosome glycolysis model de novo, we here adjusted the well-established glycolysis model of the eukaryotic microbe Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Teusink et al., 2000; van Eunen et al., 2012; van Heerden et al., 2014). We removed reactions from the yeast model that are not used in schistosomes and added glycogen metabolism, a Krebs cycle, respiration and an allosterically regulated LDH that was parameterized on multiple in vitro kinetic data sets for schistosome LDH. Additional files are published on Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/records/10401097
Project description:Schistosomes are blood-dwelling helminth parasites causing a debilitating disease in the tropics. Major challenges to control persist and vaccines would provide an additional tool, but their development has been problematic. During the self-cure response of Rhesus macaques, antibodies target proteins from the tegument, gut and esophagus, the last of which is the least investigated. We developed a dissection technique that permitted comparative proteomics on the schistosome esophagus and gut. A shotgun analysis applied to male heads identified 13 MEG proteins, eleven of which were uniquely located in the esophageal glands. Antigenic variation by alternative splicing of MEG proteoforms was confirmed together with a specialised machinery for protein glycosylation in the esophagus. Moreover some gastrodermal secretions were highly enriched in the gut, while others were more uniformly distributed, potentially as markers of lysosomal activity. Collectively, our findings provide a more rational, better-oriented selection of schistosome vaccine candidates in the context of a proven model of protective immunity.
Project description:Schistosomiasis is one of the most socioeconomically harmful neglected tropical diseases in the world. It occurs following infection from parasites of the Schistosoma genus, such as Schistosoma mansoni, which must transition within a molluscan and mammalian host to survive. Previous chemical analyses of schistosome-molluscan interactions indicate that schistosomes orientate towards potential hosts partially through chemosensation, displaying a preference for naïve (uninfected) hosts. Recent advances in proteomic techniques enable sophisticated comparative analyses between infected and naïve snail host proteins. This study aimed to compare the snail-conditioned water (SCW) released by F1 resistant, infected and naïve Biomphalaria glabrata to identify potential attractants and deterrents.
