Article
Agricultural Engineering
Hufang Chen, Xinzhuan Yao, Banghua Cao, Baohui Zhang, Litang Lu, Peili Mao
Summary: This study provides the first chromosome-scale reference genome of S. japonicum and reveals its phylogenetic placement, as well as the reason behind the enhanced production of flavonoids.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Neil D. Young, Andreas J. Stroehlein, Tao Wang, Pasi K. Korhonen, Margaret Mentink-Kane, J. Russell Stothard, David Rollinson, Robin B. Gasser
Summary: This study reports the genome of the snail Bulinus truncatus, which is an intermediate host for the human blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium. The authors explore protein groups involved in the snail's interaction with the parasite and identify expansions in gene families linked to immune response regulation. Understanding this snail-parasite relationship could inform interventions to interrupt transmission of schistosomiasis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Bikash R. R. Giri, Shun Li, Chuantao Fang, Lin Qiu, Shi Yan, Maria Y. Y. Pakharukova, Guofeng Cheng
Summary: This study characterized the miRNA profiles of T cells in the liver and blood of S. japonicum infected mice, and found distinct miRNA landscapes between these two systems. The differential expression of miRNAs was associated with T cell immune responses. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the regulation of T cells during S. japonicum infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuntian Xing, Jiakai Yao, Guoli Qu, Jianrong Dai, Bainian Feng
Summary: A series of aryl pyrrole derivatives were synthesized and tested for their molluscicidal activity on the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, Oncomelania hupensis. Among these derivatives, Compound 6 (C6) exhibited the strongest molluscicidal activity against adult O. hupensis, with bromide on the pyrrole ring being essential for its activity. This study provides valuable insights into potential compound design and development for controlling S. japonicum transmission.
Article
Parasitology
Bikash R. Giri, Chuantao Fang, Guofeng Cheng
Summary: This study identified hundreds of gender-associated circRNAs in the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, and suggested their potential regulatory roles in gene expression through binding with microRNAs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Coraline Mercier, Daniela Thies, Ling Zhong, Mark J. Raftery, Susanne Erdmann
Summary: This study discovered a new virus infecting halophilic archaea and conducted an in-depth investigation of the virus-host interactions. The research found that strains without virus defense mechanisms were more susceptible to virus infection, while strains with intact defense mechanisms were able to prevent virus replication. Additionally, archaeal homologs potentially involved in virus infection defense were identified.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Yixiao Tang, Yuanxi Shen, Yang Hong, Zuhang Zhang, Qi Zhai, Zhiqiang Fu, Hao Li, Ke Lu, Jiaojiao Lin
Summary: The study suggests a potential mutual regulation between miR-181a and the TLR4 signaling pathway during S. japonicum infection. miR-181a may regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory factors through the TLR4 receptor pathway and participate in the immunomodulatory effect of anti-S. japonicum infection. Differential expression of miR-181a in different hosts may affect the disease progression and parasite survival.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lijuan Zhang, Shan Lv, Chunli Cao, Jing Xu, Shizhu Li
Summary: The endemic status of schistosomiasis in China appeared to decrease continuously from 2015 to 2019. There was no significant decrease in snail habitats during this time period, with new habitats being detected or recurring in some regions. Strategies for snail control should focus on key areas, and efforts to understand the causes of newly-detected snail habitats and recurrent areas should be strengthened to prevent the spread of snails.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lichao Zhang, Lifu Wang, Suoyu Xiang, Yunyi Hu, Siyu Zhao, Yao Liao, Zifeng Zhu, Xiaoying Wu
Summary: This study found that the Sj16 protein in Schistosoma japonicum plays a role in evading the host's immune attack and causing continuous infection. The application of CRISPR/Cas9 technique for gene editing in S. japonicum was also confirmed to be effective.
Article
Parasitology
Yuntian Xing, Suyang Zhang, Guoli Qu, Jianrong Dai, Jiakai Yao, Bainian Feng
Summary: This study isolated 196 strains of actinomycetes from marshland soil samples and tested their molluscicidal activity against Oncomelania hupensis. A183 strain showed the highest molluscicidal efficiency. The extracted EWEA from actinomycetes A183 significantly reduced the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I, indicating its potential as a molluscicide against O. hupensis.
Article
Immunology
Pengyue Jiang, Jing Wang, Shanli Zhu, Chao Hu, Yu Lin, Weiqing Pan
Summary: This study identified a schistosome miRNA (Sja-miR-71a) that exhibits anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo models. The miRNA was found to target a host gene (FZD4) and suppress cell proliferation and migration of hepatoma cells. These findings suggest that Sja-miR-71a could be a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bokyung Choi, Geun-Hye Gang, Hyeonjin Kim, Hyejoo Byun, Minyeong Kwak, Soonku So, Hyeon-Ho Myeong, Tae-Soo Jang
Summary: The study investigated the chromosome number, karyotype, and genome size of the Korean lady's slipper orchid, finding that the species is diploid with 2n = 22 and x = 11 as the base chromosome number. The karyotypes were similar among individuals and differentiated the Korean population from the Japanese lady's slipper orchid. Results were consistent with Korean populations being more closely related to Chinese populations than Japanese populations, aiding in the discrimination of Eastern Asian lady's slipper orchid species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xindong Xu, Yifeng Wang, Changhong Wang, Gangqiang Guo, Xinyu Yu, Yang Dai, Yaobao Liu, Guiying Wei, Xiaohui He, Ge Jin, Ziqiu Zhang, Qingtian Guan, Arnab Pain, Shengyue Wang, Wenbao Zhang, Neil D. Young, Robin B. Gasser, Donald P. McManus, Jun Cao, Qi Zhou, Qingfeng Zhang
Summary: This study reports a chromosome-level reference genome for Schistosoma japonicum, shedding light on the evolution of sex chromosomes and providing insights into the sex determination and differentiation of this species. The study also identified W-linked genes and female-preferentially transcribed genes, which play critical roles in the maturation of female worms.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Minyu Zhou, Lian Xu, Dahua Xu, Wen Chen, Jehangir Khan, Yue Hu, Hui Huang, Hang Wei, Yiqing Zhang, Phiraphol Chusongsang, Kanthi Tanasarnprasert, Xiang Hu, Yanin Limpanont, Zhiyue Lv
Summary: This study presents a high-quality, chromosome-scale reference genome of Schistosoma mekongi, which provides valuable insights into its biology, evolutionary relationships, and parasite-host interactions. The findings also contribute to drug discovery, vaccine development, and intervention strategies for schistosomiasis.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Evon M. DeBose-Scarlett, Beth A. Sullivan
Summary: Centromeres are crucial for genome inheritance, with abnormal function linked to various diseases. Ectopic centromeres can form at new genomic locations, impacting genome stability and disease development. While certain genome regions influence neocentromere activation, the universal mechanism remains unclear.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF GENETICS, VOL 55
(2021)