The FAR protein family of parasitic nematodes

Parks, Sophia C.; Nguyen, Susan; Boulanger, Martin J.; Dillman, Adler R.

doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1010424

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Most parasitic nematodes synthesize and excrete fatty acid and retinol-binding proteins to obtain retinol from host tissues or intestinal lumen for development (Stürchler et al, 1981). Fatty acid and retinol-binding proteins could also play an important role in modulating the host's immune system (Parks et al, 2022). Further studies should be carried out to clarify the effects of C. tentaculata larvae on the gut wall of M. abbreviatus and a possible relationship between parasite load and snail age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Cruzia tentaculata Larvae in the Land Snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus—Influence of Natural Parasite Load on Snail Physiology

Machado,

Mentz,

Hartke

et al. 2023

Zoological Science

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The nematode Cruzia tentaculata is reported here for the first time in the land snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus in southern Brazil. The snails were infected with a high prevalence of larvae up to the L3 stage (68.6%). Cysts were located mainly in the mantle (pulmonary cavity) and the nerve ring. No other helminths were identified in the collected snails. Some physiological aspects were compared between snails infected with L3 larvae and non-infected snails and among infected animals with different parasite loads. No differences were found in hemolymph protein, glucose, or urea content between L3-infected and non-infected snails, nor among animals with different parasite loads. Discontinuous lesions in the rectum associated with the presence of encapsulated larvae were visible in animals with high parasite loads and were more frequent in adult animals. All analyses were carried out during the breeding season; however, the albumen glands of mature snails had a smaller volume in those with higher parasite loads. Ovotestis weight was also significantly negatively correlated with parasite load. Snail reproductive capacity could, therefore, be partially impaired but only for individuals with higher parasite loads. Considering only the measured parameters, natural infection by C. tentaculata does not appear to affect intermediary metabolism of M. abbreviatus. A greater number of larvae and greater severity of tissue injuries are more frequently observed in older snails.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Cruzia tentaculata Larvae in the Land Snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus—Influence of Natural Parasite Load on Snail Physiology

Machado,

Mentz,

Hartke

et al. 2023

Zoological Science

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“…Remarkably, it is thought that both free-living and parasitic nematodes have lost the genes associated with de novo lipid biosynthesis [ 19 , 20 ]. Fatty acid- and retinol-binding proteins (FARs), venom allergen-like proteins (VALs), and nematode polyprotein antigens (NPAs) are three kinds of lipid-binding proteins facilitating nematode sequester lipids and related precursors from an external source [ 21 – 23 ]. In the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (a free-living nematode), there are 10 genes (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Importantly, FARs are known as nematode-specific lipid-binding proteins with no orthologues predicted in other organisms [ 23 , 26 ] and have been reported to play crucial roles in nematode infection, development, and reproduction [ 27 – 31 ], representing an Achilles heel and potential targets against nematodes of socioeconomic significance. However, although genome-wide identification of far genes has been performed in select parasitic nematodes [ 23 , 26 , 32 ], there is a lack of systematic nomenclature rules and comprehensive functional information for far genes in these pathogens, particularly at the molecular level. This is mainly due to the limited functional genomics and lipid biology of parasitic nematodes, hindering the screening of far genes for potential novel intervention targets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein 6 does not control worm fatty acid content in Caenorhabditis elegans but might play a role in Haemonchus contortus parasitism

Wei

Chen

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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Background Nematodes have lost the ability to synthesise necessary lipids de novo and have complementally evolved the capacity to acquire fatty acids and their derivatives from a diet or host animal. Nematode-specific fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein (FAR) family is one approach that facilitates lipid acquisition, representing an Achilles heel and potential target against roundworms of socioeconomic significance. However, little is known about their detailed functional roles in either free-living or parasitic nematodes. Methods A genome-wide identification and curation were performed to screen the FAR family members of Haemonchus contortus. Their transcription patterns in worms were also analysed to identify the targets. Ligand binding assay and molecular docking were conducted to verify the fatty acid binding activities of FAR proteins of interest. RNA interference (RNAi) and heterologous expression (rescuing) experiments were designed to explore the potential roles of the selected FAR protein in nematodes. Localisation of the protein was shown in sections of paraffin-embedded worms after an immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. Results Here, an orthologue of far-6 in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (Ce-far-6) was functionally characterised in a parasitic nematode, H. contortus (Hc-far-6). It is demonstrated that knockdown of Ce-far-6 gene did not affect worm fat content, reproduction, or lifespan, but decreased worm body length at an early life stage of C. elegans. In particular, the Ce-far-6 mutant associated phenotype was completely rescued by Hc-far-6, suggesting a conserved functional role. Surprisingly, there were distinct tissue expression patterns of FAR-6 in the free-living C. elegans and parasitic H. contortus. High transcriptional level of Hc-far-6 and dominant expression of FAR-6 in the intestine of the parasitic stage of H. contortus link this gene/protein to nematode parasitism. Conclusions These findings substantially enhance our understanding of far genes and the associated lipid biology of this important parasitic nematode at a molecular level, and the approaches established are readily applicable to the studies of far genes in a broad range of parasites. Graphical Abstract

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“…EPNs contain conserved orthologs which are maintained across vertebrate and human parasitic nematodes, rendering them ideal model organisms for conducting research in a safe and cost-effective manner to understand helminth-related diseases that negatively impact human health 30 , 32 , 34 . The aim of this research was to examine how the adult Drosophila immune system is modulated in response to S. carpocapsae ESPs and determine the pathogenic contributions of the isolated molecules.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Direct manipulation of the host defense, on the other hand, involves the excretion/secretion of effector molecules. In this context, S. carpocapsae excretion/secretion products (ESPs) have been linked to host immunosuppression during the initial stages of invasion to promote a suitable growing environment for their mutualistic bacteria 29 , 30 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Excreted secreted products from the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae manipulate the Drosophila melanogaster immune response

Jones

Tafesh-Edwards

Kenney

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Steinernema carpocapsae is an entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) that rapidly infects and kills a wide range of insect hosts and has been linked to host immunosuppression during the initial stages of infection. The lethal nature of S. carpocapsae infections has previously been credited to its symbiotic bacteria; however, it has become evident that the nematodes are able to effectively kill their hosts independently through their excretion/secretion products (ESPs). Here we examined how the adult Drosophila melanogaster immune system is modulated in response to S. carpocapsae ESPs in an attempt to ascertain individual pathogenic contributions of the isolated compound. We found that the S. carpocapsae ESPs decrease the survival of D. melanogaster adult flies, they induce the expression of certain antimicrobial peptide-encoding genes, and they cause significant reduction in phenoloxidase enzyme activity and delay in the melanization response in males flies. We also report that S. carpocapsae ESPs affect hemocyte numbers in both male and female individuals. Our results indicate the manipulative role of EPN ESPs and reveal sex-specific differences in the host response against nematode infection factors. These findings are beneficial as they promote our understanding of the molecular basis of nematode pathogenicity and the parasite components that influence nematode-host interactions.

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The FAR protein family of parasitic nematodes

Cited by 6 publications

References 51 publications

Occurrence of Cruzia tentaculata Larvae in the Land Snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus—Influence of Natural Parasite Load on Snail Physiology

Occurrence of Cruzia tentaculata Larvae in the Land Snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus—Influence of Natural Parasite Load on Snail Physiology

Fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein 6 does not control worm fatty acid content in Caenorhabditis elegans but might play a role in Haemonchus contortus parasitism

Excreted secreted products from the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae manipulate the Drosophila melanogaster immune response

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