Article
Parasitology
Milena Lubisch, Sven Moyzio, Charlotte Sophia Kaiser, Isabel Krafeld, Dustin Leusder, Martin Scholz, Lara Hoepfner, Michael Hippler, Eva Liebau, Janina Kahl
Summary: This study examines the feasibility of using the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as an expression system for proteins from parasitic nematodes, successfully expressing functional proteins for subsequent immunological and biochemical studies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew R. Burns, Rachel J. Baker, Megan Kitner, Jessica Knox, Brittany Cooke, Jonathan R. Volpatti, Aditya S. Vaidya, Emily Puumala, Bruna M. Palmeira, Elizabeth M. Redman, Jamie Snider, Sagar Marwah, Sai W. Chung, Margaret H. MacDonald, Jens Tiefenbach, Chun Hu, Qi Xiao, Constance A. M. Finney, Henry M. Krause, Sonya A. MacParland, Igor Stagljar, John S. Gilleard, Leah E. Cowen, Susan L. F. Meyer, Sean R. Cutler, James J. Dowling, Mark Lautens, Inga Zasada, Peter J. Roy
Summary: Parasitic nematodes pose a major threat to global food security, especially as the world population is set to reach 10 billion. Traditional nematicides have been banned due to their poor selectivity, leaving farmers with limited means of pest control. This study identifies a family of selective imidazothiazole nematicides, called selectivins, which undergo cytochrome P450-mediated bioactivation in nematodes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaojuan Zhang, Yongli Ye, Jiadi Sun, Jia-Sheng Wang, Lili Tang, Yida Xu, Jian Ji, Xiulan Sun
Summary: In this study, the neurobehavioral toxicity effects of Fumonisin B1 (FB1) on Caenorhabditis elegans were investigated. FB1 caused dose- and time-dependent behavioral defects and damaged GABAergic and serotonergic neurons. The relative content of GABA and serotonin decreased significantly and abnormal expression of mRNA levels associated with GABA and serotonin were found. The neurobehavioral toxicity effect of FB1 may be mediated by abnormal neurotransmission of GABA and serotonin. This study provides important information for understanding the neurotoxicity of FB1.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anum Bashir, Huafu Yu, Abdul Manan, Lin Li
Summary: In this study, the researchers identified and characterized a nematicidal protein, Peptidase03, from the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae. They found that Peptidase03 showed significant toxicity against the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and an agriculturally important PPN, Meloidogyne incognita. The results suggest that Peptidase03 has potential as an effective control agent for PPNs in agriculture.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dmytro Kukhtar, Martin Fussenegger
Summary: Synthetic biology has traditionally focused on single cell systems, such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells, for introducing new or altered functionality. This article extends the field of synthetic biology to nematodes, particularly the well-studied organism Caenorhabditis elegans, as a practical platform for developing applications in a multicellular context. The authors review transgenesis techniques for nematodes and discuss the application of synthetic biology principles in constructing nematode gene switches and genetic devices for controlling motility. Potential applications of engineered nematodes are also discussed.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Jurgen Kruecken, Lindy Holden-Dye, Jennifer Keiser, Roger K. Prichard, Simon Townson, Benjamin L. Makepeace, Marc P. Huebner, Steffen R. Hahnel, Ivan Scandale, Achim Harder, Daniel Kulke
Summary: Current mass drug administration programs for river blindness rely on ivermectin but fail to eliminate adult worms. Emodepside, a broad-spectrum anthelmintic used in veterinary medicine, is considered a promising candidate for the treatment of onchocerciasis. Collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical industry has led to Phase I clinical trials demonstrating the safety and efficacy of emodepside as an adulticide against the closely related cattle parasite Onchocerca ochengi, with Phase II trials planned for human health benefits.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonia Piazzesi, Yiru Wang, Joshua Jackson, Lena Wischhof, Viktoria Zeisler-Diehl, Enzo Scifo, Ina Oganezova, Thorben Hoffmann, Pablo Gomez Martin, Fabio Bertan, Chester J. J. Wrobel, Frank C. Schroeder, Dan Ehninger, Kristian Haendler, Joachim L. Schultze, Lukas Schreiber, Gerhild Van Echten-Deckert, Pierluigi Nicotera, Daniele Bano
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction can be influenced by enhanced metabolic flexibility, which can extend the lifespan of mitochondrial mutants. CEST-2.2, a carboxylesterase mainly localized in the intestine, has been found to stimulate the survival of mitochondrial deficient animals. Through transcriptome and lipidome analysis, it has been shown that CEST-2.2 promotes lipid metabolism and fatty acid beta-oxidation, enhancing the respiratory capacity of mitochondria and extending the lifespan of mutant nematodes.
Article
Cell Biology
Catia Igreja, Tobias Loschko, Alejandra Schaefer, Radhika Sharma, Shiela Pearl Quiobe, Elbin Aloshy, Hanh Witte, Ralf J. Sommer
Summary: The detection, manipulation and purification of proteins are crucial in modern life sciences studies. The introduction of the ALFA-tag provides a novel epitope tag for nematode research with a wide range of applications, such as super-resolution microscopy and immunoprecipitation. This study successfully demonstrates the utilization of ALFA-tagging in nematode model organisms, leading to high-resolution protein expression and successful pulldown experiments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shiling Feng, Chunyan Zhang, Tao Chen, Lijun Zhou, Yan Huang, Ming Yuan, Tian Li, Chunbang Ding
Summary: The study found that OLE significantly prolongs the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans and increases their resistance to lethal heat shock and oxidative stress. OLE regulates stress resistance and lifespan extension in nematodes through the activation of the IIS and SKN-1/Nrf2 signaling pathways.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siqi Jiang, Na Deng, Bisheng Zheng, Tong Li, Rui Hai Liu
Summary: Rhodiola extract was found to significantly extend the lifespan of C. elegans and enhance its stress resistance by regulating gene expression and promoting protein translocation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel F. Midkiff, Javier Huayta, James D. Lichty, Joseph P. Crapster, Adriana San-Miguel
Summary: In this study, we used microfluidic technologies and image processing to perform high-throughput automated screening for short-lived mutants based on protein aggregation. We identified lifespan mutants by screening for accelerated protein aggregation through quantitative analysis of fluorescently labeled aggregates, avoiding the need for conditional sterilization or manual separation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Astra S. Bryant, Felicitas Ruiz, Joon Ha Lee, Elissa A. Hallem
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of infection of soil-transmitted parasitic nematodes and identifies their unique thermosensory neurons that can accurately sense temperature and encode host-relevant temperatures through experience-dependent thermal plasticity. The study also describes a new behavior in which infective larvae spontaneously reverse attraction to heat sources at sub-body temperatures, and reveals that this behavior is mediated by rapid adaptation of the thermosensory neurons. Additionally, the study identifies thermoreceptors that confer parasite-specific sensitivity to body heat.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nguyen Phuoc Long, Hyung Min Kim
Summary: This study investigated the metabolic consequences of mitochondrial DNA mutations in C. elegans using an untargeted metabolomics approach. Three mutant strains (clk-1, mev-1, and phb-2) exhibited significant metabolic differences compared to the wildtype worms, with distinct patterns of metabolic alterations observed in each mutant strain. The metabolome changes appeared to be correlated with the lifespan of C. elegans, with clk-1 and mev-1 strains showing different metabolomes despite having opposite lifespan phenotypes. These findings shed light on the metabolic effects of mitochondrial genetic variants and may contribute to a better understanding of mitochondrial disease mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cheng-Rung Huang, Cheng-Ju Kuo, Chih-Wen Huang, Yu-Ting Chen, Bang-Yu Liu, Chung-Ta Lee, Po-Lin Chen, Wen-Tsan Chang, Yun-Wen Chen, Tzer-Min Lee, Hui-Chen Hsieh, Chang-Shi Chen
Summary: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) induces attaching and effacing lesions in the intestine through a host signaling pathway involving cyclin-dependent kinase CDK1 and formin CYK1, as demonstrated using human intestinal cells and a C. elegans model of infection.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Khairun Nisaa, Anat Ben-Zvi
Summary: Muscle proteostasis is regulated by the myogenic transcription factor MyoD. This study demonstrates that MyoD can modulate chaperone expression in terminally differentiated muscle cells, indicating its role in muscle maintenance.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patricia G. Izquierdo, Fernando Calahorro, Thibana Thisainathan, James H. Atkins, Johanna Haszczyn, Christian J. Lewis, John E. H. Tattersall, A. Christopher Green, Lindy Holden-Dye, Vincent O'Connor
Summary: Complex biological functions within organisms are often regulated by systemic communication between different tissues. In the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, it has been found that cholinergic transmission in the body wall muscles not only controls locomotion, but also inhibits feeding behavior.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Murat Oezben, Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Malene K. B. Freiin von Streit, Edwina J. A. Wilkes, Kristopher J. Hughes, Juergen Krucken
Summary: This study suggests that different mechanisms may lead to benzimidazoles resistance in ascarids and strongyle nematodes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalie Jakobs, Esra Yilmaz, Juergen Kruecken
Summary: The number of reported cases of macrocyclic lactones (ML) resistance is increasing in livestock hosts. Studies have suggested the involvement of cytochrome P450s (Cyps) enzymes in ML resistance in the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. However, there is a lack of functional data regarding the individual contribution of these enzymes to resistance or substrate specificity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernando Calahorro, Mark Chapman, Katarzyna Dudkiewicz, Lindy Holden-Dye, Vincent O'Connor
Summary: Chemical or drug treatments have been successfully used to treat parasitic nematode infections that impact human, animal, and plant health. However, there are emerging resistance and eco-toxicity concerns. This study focuses on the potential of a 5-HT-gated chloride channel MOD-1 as a target for new nematocidal chemicals and drugs, and a microtiter based bioassay for MOD-1 pharmacology has been developed.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christina S. Helm, Christiane Weingart, Sabrina Ramuenke, Ingo Schaefer, Elisabeth Mueller, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Barbara Kohn, Juergen Kruecken
Summary: Since 2015, there has been an increase in autochthonous canine babesiosis cases caused by Babesia canis in the Berlin/Brandenburg area in Germany. Genetic analysis revealed high parasite variability and potential multiple origins for the infections.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Laura Juergenschellert, Juergen Kruecken, Eric Bousquet, Juergen Bartz, Nina Heyer, Martin K. Nielsen, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
Summary: The prevalence of strongylid nematode infection in horses, particularly Strongylus vulgaris, was investigated in Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany. The study found a high prevalence of strongylid nematodes in horses, with S. vulgaris being the most pathogenic. Age and access to pasture were identified as risk factors for egg shedding and infection.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Christiane Weingart, Christina S. Helm, Elisabeth Mueller, Ingo Schaefer, Marianne Skrodzki, Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Jurgen Kruecken, Barbara Kohn
Summary: Vector-borne diseases, including autochthonous Babesia canis infection, are increasing in importance in Germany, particularly in the Berlin/Brandenburg region. This study examined 49 dogs with autochthonous B. canis infection and found severe clinical symptoms and pathological changes. It is recommended to monitor treatment effectiveness through PCR testing during and after treatment, and to implement blood donor screening in high-risk areas and year-round tick protection.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Heike Boelow, Juergen Kruecken, Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna
Summary: Gastrointestinal nematodes, especially Parascaris spp. and strongyles, are commonly found parasites in grazing equines. However, there is a lack of epidemiological data on the presence and egg-shedding intensities of these parasites. Based on samples collected from German horse farms, 46.5% of the samples were positive for strongyles with a median egg-shedding intensity of 40, while for Parascaris spp., the prevalence was 4.6% with a median egg-shedding intensity of 0. Various variables were found to influence the prevalence and egg-shedding intensity of both Parascaris and strongyles.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Billy L. Amugune, Abneel K. Matharu, Paul Ouma, Francis Mutebi, Lynne Elson, Ulrike Fillinger, Juergen Kruecken
Summary: Tunga penetrans is an invasive flea that causes tungiasis, and a low-cost PCR-based tool for the identification of T. penetrans is needed to understand its ecology and monitor its development in soil.
Article
Microbiology
Abdurakhim E. Kuchboev, Juergen Kruecken
Summary: The aim of this study was to characterize the diversity of Metastrongylus spp. in wild boars and the earthworm intermediate host species. The prevalence of Metastrongylus spp. in wild boars was found to be high, with multiple species coexisting. Additionally, earthworms were identified as potential hosts for Metastrongylus. Age group and season did not significantly affect prevalence, but intensity of infection was higher in autumn compared to spring and summer. However, there was no clear association between earthworm species' phylogenetic relationship and ecological microhabitats and prevalence.
Letter
Dermatology
Niklas Weber, Julian Trujillo-Trujillo, Juergen Kruecken, Felipe Castillo, Hermann Feldmeier, Cord Sunderkoetter
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Ayako Hyuga, Paul Ouma, Abneel K. Matharu, Juergen Kruecken, Satoshi Kaneko, Kensuke Goto, Ulrike Fillinger
Summary: This study evaluated the jumping capabilities of female and male T. penetrans, and found that they have similar jumping abilities to other flea species. The fact that they mostly affect the feet of hosts is likely an adaptation to host behavior, rather than a result of their limited jumping ability.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Ingo Schaefer, Christina Sabine Helm, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Juergen Kruecken, Tanja Kottmann, Annette Holtdirk, Barbara Kohn, Guy Hendrickx, Cedric Marsboom, Elisabeth Mueller
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence of Babesia spp. infections in dogs in Germany and identified potential risk factors for infection. The results showed that Babesia canis is endemic in Germany and the prevalence of infection is influenced by season, sex, age, tick attachment, and ectoparasite prophylaxis. Travel and importation of dogs are also considered major factors associated with canine babesiosis in Germany.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Barbara Hinney, Sandra Wiedermann, Antonio Bosco, Laura Rinaldi, Martin Hofer, Anja Joachim, Juergen Kruecken, Ralf Steinborn
Summary: Haemonchus contortus, the most pathogenic nematode in small ruminants, is hampered by anthelmintic resistance (AR). Detection of AR status using phenotypic tests cannot achieve early detection, but single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the isotype 1 & beta;-tubulin gene allow early detection of AR-associated alleles in benzimidazoles (BZs). A novel digital PCR (dPCR) was developed to detect these SNPs in H. contortus, with a detection limit of 15 copies/& mu;l and high accuracy. The developed assays showed elevated frequencies of F200Y resistance alleles in Austrian samples and identified polymorphisms in codon 167 and codon 198 for the first time in H. contortus from Austria. In Italian samples, the frequency of resistance alleles was comparatively low but traceable. The dPCR assays provide a valuable tool for early onset SNP-based surveillance of AR development in H. contortus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Moritz Stummer, Vicky Frisch, Frauke Glitz, Barbara Hinney, Joachim Spergser, Juergen Kruecken, Irina Diekmann, Katharina Dimmel, Christiane Riedel, Jessika-Maximiliane V. Cavalleri, Till Ruemenapf, Anja Joachim, Manolis Lyrakis, Angelika Auer
Summary: Acute abdominal pain in horses is a significant global health threat, requiring intensive veterinary care and often surgery. Equine coronavirus (ECoV) infections, although rarely considered, can cause colic in horses. A study was conducted to determine the frequency of undetected ECoV infections in horses with acute colic, revealing that 5.7% of colic horses and 2.8% of control horses tested positive for Betacoronaviruses. Furthermore, sequences closely related to bovine coronaviruses (BCoV) were found in three out of six coronavirus-positive horses with colic, indicating a need for further investigation into the pathogenic potential of BCoV in horses.