Gene expression patterns in a helminth parasite
Author Information
Author(s): Jolly Emmitt R, Chin Chen-Shan, Miller Steve, Bahgat Mahmoud M, Lim KC, DeRisi Joseph, McKerrow James H
Primary Institution: California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) of the University of California, San Francisco
Hypothesis
How does the schistosome parasite alter gene regulation to adapt to different environments?
Conclusion
The study identifies 1,154 developmentally enriched transcripts in the schistosome, expanding the understanding of its gene expression across different life stages.
Supporting Evidence
- The study expands the repertoire of schistosome genes analyzed for stage-specific expression to over 70% of the predicted genome.
- Among the new associations identified are the roles of robust protein synthesis and programmed cell death in development.
- Cercarial transcripts are dominated by genes involved in mitochondrial function, supporting energy production necessary for swimming.
- Adult worms express a diverse pattern of transcripts necessary for egg production and immune evasion.
Takeaway
This study looks at how a parasite changes its genes to survive in different places, like water and inside animals.
Methodology
Gene expression was analyzed using a genomic microarray with 12,000 oligonucleotides across three developmental stages of the schistosome.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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