Variation in expression of Biomphalaria glabrata SOD1: a potential controlling factor in susceptibility/resistance to Schistosoma mansoni

Dev Comp Immunol. 2007;31(9):874-8. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2006.12.005. Epub 2007 Jan 24.

Abstract

The snail Biomphalaria glabrata kills the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni by a mechanism involving production of hydrogen peroxide, the enzymatic product of cytosolic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). This enzyme exhibits higher activity in blood cells (hemocytes) from a predominantly resistant strain of B. glabrata than in hemocytes from a susceptible strain. Additionally, B. glabrata SOD1 polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility/resistance to the parasite. To address the hypothesis that SOD1 transcription levels differ in accordance with variation at the SOD1 locus, quantitative PCR was performed using hemocyte-derived cDNA prepared from SOD1-genotyped snails. Here we report that individuals possessing the allele previously associated with resistance to S. mansoni express significantly higher levels of hemocyte SOD1 transcripts than individuals lacking this allele. A causal relationship between SOD1 expression and susceptibility/resistance to S. mansoni is supported by the correlation of transcript quantity with data (from a previous study) on the probability of infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Biomphalaria / enzymology*
  • Biomphalaria / genetics
  • Biomphalaria / parasitology*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • Genetic Variation / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Schistosoma mansoni / physiology*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / enzymology*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / genetics
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / pathology
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism*
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1