Proteomic Analysis of the Schistosoma mansoni Miracidium

PLoS One. 2016 Jan 22;11(1):e0147247. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147247. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Despite extensive control efforts, schistosomiasis continues to be a major public health problem in developing nations in the tropics and sub-tropics. The miracidium, along with the cercaria, both of which are water-borne and free-living, are the only two stages in the life-cycle of Schistosoma mansoni which are involved in host invasion. Miracidia penetrate intermediate host snails and develop into sporocysts, which lead to cercariae that can infect humans. Infection of the snail host by the miracidium represents an ideal point at which to interrupt the parasite's life-cycle. This research focuses on an analysis of the miracidium proteome, including those proteins that are secreted. We have identified a repertoire of proteins in the S. mansoni miracidium at 2 hours post-hatch, including proteases, venom allergen-like proteins, receptors and HSP70, which might play roles in snail-parasite interplay. Proteins involved in energy production and conservation were prevalent, as were proteins predicted to be associated with defence. This study also provides a strong foundation for further understanding the roles that neurohormones play in host-seeking by schistosomes, with the potential for development of novel anthelmintics that interfere with its various life-cycle stages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomphalaria / immunology*
  • Biomphalaria / parasitology
  • Cercaria / genetics*
  • Cercaria / growth & development
  • Disease Vectors
  • Energy Metabolism / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genome, Protozoan / genetics
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / genetics
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / immunology
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Mice
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Oocysts / growth & development
  • Proteome / genetics
  • Proteomics
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology*
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Schistosoma mansoni / genetics
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology*
  • Schistosomiasis / immunology*
  • Schistosomiasis / parasitology

Substances

  • Neuropeptides
  • Proteome
  • Protozoan Proteins

Grants and funding

The authors thank the following for support for this work: University of the Sunshine Coast internal grant and Australian Research Council (FT110100990); University of the Sunshine Coast, URG 13/11. This research was undertaken with the assistance of resources from the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI), which is supported by the Australian government. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.