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Parasitology Research Feb 2022Protein phosphorylation plays key roles in a variety of essential cellular processes. Fasciola gigantica is a tropical liver fluke causing hepatobiliary disease...
Protein phosphorylation plays key roles in a variety of essential cellular processes. Fasciola gigantica is a tropical liver fluke causing hepatobiliary disease fascioliasis, leading to human health threats and heavy economic losses. Although the genome and protein kinases of F. gigantica provided new insights to understand the molecular biology and etiology of this parasite, there is scant knowledge of protein phosphorylation events in F. gigantica. In this study, we characterized the global phosphoproteomics of adult F. gigantica by phosphopeptide enrichment-based LC-MS/MS, a high-throughput analysis to maximize the detection of a large repertoire of phosphoproteins and phosphosites. A total of 1030 phosphopeptides with 1244 phosphosites representing 635 F. gigantica phosphoproteins were identified. The phosphoproteins were involved in a wide variety of biological processes including cellular, metabolic, and single-organism processes. Meanwhile, these proteins were found predominantly in cellular components like membranes and organelles with molecular functions of binding (51.3%) and catalytic activity (40.6%). The KEGG annotation inferred that the most enriched pathways of the phosphoproteins included tight junction, spliceosome, and RNA transport (each one contains 15 identified proteins). Combining the reports in other protozoa and helminths, the phosphoproteins identified in this work play roles in metabolic regulation and signal transduction. To our knowledge, this work performed the first global phosphoproteomics analysis of adult F. gigantica, which provides valuable information for development of intervention strategies for fascioliasis.
Topics: Animals; Chromatography, Liquid; Fasciola; Fasciola hepatica; Fascioliasis; Humans; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 34985596
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07422-2 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Dec 2020There are different types of radiations, such as microwaves and mobile waves. Certain types of radiofrequency were evaluated in hydatid cyst ablation or as...
OBJECTIVE
There are different types of radiations, such as microwaves and mobile waves. Certain types of radiofrequency were evaluated in hydatid cyst ablation or as protoscolicidals. This study aimed to assess the influence of mobile waves on hydatid cyst protoscolices.
METHODS
Hydatid cysts were collected from the slaughterhouse and transferred to the laboratory. The contents of the cysts were drained in sterile conditions and the protoscolices were rinsed three times with phosphate buffered saline. Equal volumes of protoscolex suspensions were aliquoted into similar tubes. Based on the distance of the samples from the mobile generation waves, the tubes containing the parasitic suspensions were classified into three groups, each of which was further categorised into nine subgroups according to the time of the radiation exposure. The subgroup with zero exposure time was considered the control.
RESULTS
It was found that the mortality rate of the protoscolices increases as the distance of the sample from the wave-generation source decreases (p<0.0001). Increasing the time of exposure also improves the mortality rate of protoscolices.
CONCLUSION
The mortality rate of protoscolices was directly proportional to the time of exposure and inversely proportional to the distance from the mobile generation waves.
Topics: Animals; Cell Phone; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Echinococcosis; Echinococcus; Radiofrequency Therapy
PubMed: 33269560
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2020.6722 -
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Jan 2022Free-living flatworms of the genus Macrostomum are small and transparent animals, representing attractive study organisms for a broad range of topics in evolutionary,...
Free-living flatworms of the genus Macrostomum are small and transparent animals, representing attractive study organisms for a broad range of topics in evolutionary, developmental, and molecular biology. The genus includes the model organism M. lignano for which extensive molecular resources are available, and recently there is a growing interest in extending work to additional species in the genus. These endeavours are currently hindered because, even though >200 Macrostomum species have been taxonomically described, molecular phylogenetic information and geographic sampling remain limited. We report on a global sampling campaign aimed at increasing taxon sampling and geographic representation of the genus. Specifically, we use extensive transcriptome and single-locus data to generate phylogenomic hypotheses including 145 species. Across different phylogenetic methods and alignments used, we identify several consistent clades, while their exact grouping is less clear, possibly due to a radiation early in Macrostomum evolution. Moreover, we uncover a large undescribed diversity, with 94 of the studied species likely being new to science, and we identify multiple novel morphological traits. Furthermore, we identify cryptic speciation in a taxonomically challenging assemblage of species, suggesting that the use of molecular markers is a prerequisite for future work, and we describe the distribution of putative synapomorphies and suggest taxonomic revisions based on our finding. Our large-scale phylogenomic dataset now provides a robust foundation for comparative analyses of morphological, behavioural and molecular evolution in this genus.
Topics: Animals; Evolution, Molecular; Phenotype; Phylogeny; Platyhelminths; Transcriptome
PubMed: 34438051
DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107296 -
Parasitology Nov 2022The complete circular mitogenome of (Platyhelminthes: Paragonimidae) from Japan, obtained by PacBio long-read sequencing, was 17 591 bp and contained 12 protein-coding...
The complete circular mitogenome of (Platyhelminthes: Paragonimidae) from Japan, obtained by PacBio long-read sequencing, was 17 591 bp and contained 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 mitoribosomal RNA and 22 transfer RNA genes. The 8 gene was absent, and there was a 40 bp overlap between 4L and 4. The long non-coding region (4.3 kb) included distinct types of long and short repeat units. The pattern of base usage for PCGs and the mtDNA coding region overall in Asian and American species (, , and ) and the Indian form of was > > > . On the other hand, East-Asian used > > > . Five Asian and American species and had TTT/Phe, TTG/Leu and GTT/Val as the most frequently used codons, whereas the least-used codons were different in each species and between regional forms of . The phylogenetic tree reconstructed from a concatenated alignment of amino acids of 12 PCGs from 36 strains/26 species/5 families of trematodes confirmed that the Paragonimidae is monophyletic, with 100% nodal support. was resolved as a sister to The clade was clearly separate from remaining congeners. The latter clade was comprised of 2 subclades, one of the East-Asian and the other of the Indian Type 1 samples. Additional mitogenomes in the Paragonimidae are needed for genomic characterization and are useful for diagnostics, identification and genetic/ phylogenetic/ epidemiological/ evolutionary studies of the Paragonimidae.
Topics: Animals; Paragonimus; Genome, Mitochondrial; Phylogeny; Trematoda; Lung
PubMed: 36101009
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022001184 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Dec 2023The impact of climate change has led to variations in various biological processes, leading to altered transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, including...
BACKGROUND
The impact of climate change has led to variations in various biological processes, leading to altered transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, including snail-borne diseases (SBDs). Fascioliasis is one of the neglected zoonotic tropical snail-borne diseases caused by the trematode of the genus Fasciola. This review focused on laboratory experimental and model studies that evaluate the potential effect of temperature change on the ecology and biology of the intermediate host snails (IHS) of Fasciola.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted on Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, and PubMed databases using predefined medical subject heading terms, Boolean operators, and truncation symbols in combination with direct keywords: Fasciolosis AND Temperature, Lymnaea OR Austropeplea OR Radix OR Galba OR Fossaria OR Pseudosuccinea AND growth, fecundity, AND survival at the global scale. Other search terms used were (Fascioliasis AND Temperature), (Lymnaea AND Temperature), (Austropeplea AND Temperature), (Fossaria AND Temperature), (Galba AND Temperature), (Pseudosuccinea AND Temperature), and (Radix AND Temperature).
RESULTS
The final synthesis included thirty-five published articles. The studies reviewed indicated that temperature rise may alter the distribution, and optimal conditions for breeding, growth, and survival of IHS, ultimately resulting in changing the transmission dynamics of fascioliasis. The literature also confirmed that the life history traits of IHS and their interaction with the liver fluke parasites are driven by temperature, and hence climate change may have profound outcomes on the population size of snails, parasite density, and disease epidemiology.
CONCLUSION
We concluded that understanding the impact of temperature on the growth, fecundity, and survival of IHS may broaden our knowledge of the possible effects of climate change and hence inform fascioliasis control programs.
Topics: Animals; Fascioliasis; Life History Traits; Temperature; Fasciola hepatica; Fasciola
PubMed: 38048345
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011812 -
Current Biology : CB Apr 2016The phylogenetic affinities of Xenacoelomorpha - the phylum comprising Xenoturbella bocki and acoelomorph worms - are debated. Two recent studies conclude they represent...
The phylogenetic affinities of Xenacoelomorpha - the phylum comprising Xenoturbella bocki and acoelomorph worms - are debated. Two recent studies conclude they represent the earliest branching bilaterally symmetrical animals, but additional tests may be needed to confirm this notion.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Models, Biological; Phylogeny; Turbellaria
PubMed: 27115693
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.03.015 -
Current Biology : CB May 2015The interrelationships of the flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes) are poorly resolved despite decades of morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies. The...
The interrelationships of the flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes) are poorly resolved despite decades of morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies. The earliest-branching clades (Catenulida, Macrostomorpha, and Polycladida) share spiral cleavage and entolecithal eggs with other lophotrochozoans. Lecithoepitheliata have primitive spiral cleavage but derived ectolecithal eggs. Other orders (Rhabdocoela, Proseriata, Tricladida and relatives, and Bothrioplanida) all have derived ectolecithal eggs but have uncertain affinities to one another. The orders of parasitic Neodermata emerge from an uncertain position from within these ectolecithal classes. To tackle these problems, we have sequenced transcriptomes from 18 flatworms and 5 other metazoan groups. The addition of published data produces an alignment of >107,000 amino acids with less than 28% missing data from 27 flatworm taxa in 11 orders covering all major clades. Our phylogenetic analyses show that Platyhelminthes consist of the two clades Catenulida and Rhabditophora. Within Rhabditophora, we show the earliest-emerging branch is Macrostomorpha, not Polycladida. We show Lecithoepitheliata are not members of Neoophora but are sister group of Polycladida, implying independent origins of the ectolecithal eggs found in Lecithoepitheliata and Neoophora. We resolve Rhabdocoela as the most basally branching euneoophoran taxon. Tricladida, Bothrioplanida, and Neodermata constitute a group that appears to have lost both spiral cleavage and centrosomes. We identify Bothrioplanida as the long-sought closest free-living sister group of the parasitic Neodermata. Among parasitic orders, we show that Cestoda are closer to Trematoda than to Monogenea, rejecting the concept of the Cercomeromorpha. Our results have important implications for understanding the evolution of this major phylum.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Centromere; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Male; Ovum; Phylogeny; Planarians; Platyhelminths; Spermatozoa; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 25866392
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.03.034 -
BMC Genomics Jul 2020The genus Macrostomum consists of small free-living flatworms and contains Macrostomum lignano, which has been used in investigations of ageing, stem cell biology,...
BACKGROUND
The genus Macrostomum consists of small free-living flatworms and contains Macrostomum lignano, which has been used in investigations of ageing, stem cell biology, bioadhesion, karyology, and sexual selection in hermaphrodites. Two types of mating behaviour occur within this genus. Some species, including M. lignano, mate via reciprocal copulation, where, in a single mating, both partners insert their male copulatory organ into the female storage organ and simultaneously donate and receive sperm. Other species mate via hypodermic insemination, where worms use a needle-like copulatory organ to inject sperm into the tissue of the partner. These contrasting mating behaviours are associated with striking differences in sperm and copulatory organ morphology. Here we expand the genomic resources within the genus to representatives of both behaviour types and investigate whether genes vary in their rate of evolution depending on their putative function.
RESULTS
We present de novo assembled transcriptomes of three Macrostomum species, namely M. hystrix, a close relative of M. lignano that mates via hypodermic insemination, M. spirale, a more distantly related species that mates via reciprocal copulation, and finally M. pusillum, which represents a clade that is only distantly related to the other three species and also mates via hypodermic insemination. We infer 23,764 sets of homologous genes and annotate them using experimental evidence from M. lignano. Across the genus, we identify 521 gene families with conserved patterns of differential expression between juvenile vs. adult worms and 185 gene families with a putative expression in the testes that are restricted to the two reciprocally mating species. Further, we show that homologs of putative reproduction-related genes have a higher protein divergence across the four species than genes lacking such annotations and that they are more difficult to identify across the four species, indicating that these genes evolve more rapidly, while genes involved in neoblast function are more conserved.
CONCLUSIONS
This study improves the genus Macrostomum as a model system, by providing resources for the targeted investigation of gene function in a broad range of species. And we, for the first time, show that reproduction-related genes evolve at an accelerated rate in flatworms.
Topics: Animals; Evolution, Molecular; Genes, Helminth; Helminth Proteins; In Situ Hybridization; Phylogeny; Platyhelminths; RNA-Seq; Reproduction; Transcriptome
PubMed: 32631219
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06862-x -
Genetics Jul 2021Regeneration-capable flatworms are informative research models to study the mechanisms of stem cell regulation, regeneration, and tissue patterning. The free-living...
Regeneration-capable flatworms are informative research models to study the mechanisms of stem cell regulation, regeneration, and tissue patterning. The free-living flatworm Macrostomum lignano is currently the only flatworm where stable transgenesis is available, and as such it offers a powerful experimental platform to address questions that were previously difficult to answer. The published transgenesis approach relies on random integration of DNA constructs into the genome. Despite its efficiency, there is room and need for further improvement and diversification of transgenesis methods in M. lignano. Transposon-mediated transgenesis is an alternative approach, enabling easy mapping of the integration sites and the possibility of insertional mutagenesis studies. Here, we report for the first time that transposon-mediated transgenesis using piggyBac can be performed in M. lignano to create stable transgenic lines with single-copy transgene insertions.
Topics: Animals; DNA Transposable Elements; Gene Transfer Techniques; Platyhelminths; Transgenes
PubMed: 33999134
DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab076 -
Acta Tropica Jan 2022A gene silencing procedure on cysticerci of the taeniid cestode Taenia crassiceps is described. This is the first time this technique is reported in this species that is...
A gene silencing procedure on cysticerci of the taeniid cestode Taenia crassiceps is described. This is the first time this technique is reported in this species that is widely used as an animal model for human cysticercosis. Genome database searches were performed in order to find out if relevant genes involved in gene silencing and non-coding RNA processing, Argonaute and Dicer (AGO and Dcr) are present in T. crassiceps. We found three AGO and two Dcr orthologues that were designed TcAGO1, Tc2 and Tc3, as well as TcDcr1 and TcDcr2. In order to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of T. crassiceps TcAGO and TcDcr genes, separate phylogenetic analyses were carried out for each, including AGO and Dcr orthologues of other 20 platyhelminthes. Our findings showed a close phylogenetic relationship of TcAGO and TcDcr with those previously described for Echinococcus spp. Our RT-PCR studies demonstrated expression of all TcAGO and TcDcr orthologues. Our results show that the gene silencing machinery in T. crassiceps is functionally active by inducing silencing of TcEnoA (∼90%). These results clearly show that gene silencing using siRNAs can be used as a molecular methodology to study gene function in taeniid cestodes.
Topics: Animals; Cysticercosis; Cysticercus; Humans; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Phylogeny; RNA, Small Interfering; Taenia
PubMed: 34688628
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106197