Project description:We describe the first comprehensive study confirming the existence of DNA methylation, characterising the methylomes of three life stages of the food-borne agent of human trichinellosis, Trichinella spiralis. We further identify sets of genes where the DNA methylation status varied between thedevelopmental stages that are closely related to the parasitism of the organism. Examination of DNA methylation status in three life stages (Adult, muscle larve, new born larve) of Trchinella Spiralis using MethylC-seq.
Project description:Trichinellosis of human and other mammals was caused through the ingestion of the parasite，Trichinella spiralis，contaminated meat. It is a typical zoonotic disease that affects more than 10 million people world-wide. Parasites of Trichinella genus are unique intracellular pathogens. Adult Trichinella parasites directly release newborn larvae which invade striated muscle cells and causes diseases. In this study, we profiled the global transcriptome in the three developmental stages of T. spiralis. The transcriptomic analysis revealed the global gene expression patterns from newborn larval stage through muscle larval stage to adults. Thousands of genes with stage-specific transcriptional patterns were described and novel genes involving host-parasite interaction were identified. More than 45% of the protein-coding genes showed evidence of transcription from both sense and antisense strands which suggests the importance of RNA-mediated gene regulation in the parasite. This study presents a first deep analysis of the transcriptome of T. spiralis, providing insight information of the parasite biology.
