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Abstract: The co-evolutionary dynamics that exist in host–parasite interactions sometimes lead to compatibility polymorphisms, the molecular bases of which are rarely investigated. To identify key molecules that are involved in this phenomenon in the Schistosoma mansoni/Biomphalaria glabrata model, we developed a comparative proteomics approach using the larval stages that interact with the invertebrate host. We used qualitative and quantitative analyses to compare the total proteomes of primary sporocysts from compatible and incompatible parasite strains. The differentially expressed proteins thus detected belong to three main functional groups: (i) scavengers of reactive oxygen species, (ii) components of primary metabolism, and (iii) mucin-like proteins. We discuss the putative roles played by these protein families as determinants of compatibility polymorphism. Since mucins are known to play key roles in the host–parasite interplay, we consider the newly discovered S. mansoni mucin-like proteins (SmMucin-like) as the most promising candidates for influencing the fate of host–parasite interactions. An analysis of their expression is presented in a paper published in the same journal issue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers have been shown to be useful in genetic investigations of medically important parasites and their hosts. In this paper, we describe the prediction and validation of SNPs in ESTs of Schistosoma mansoni. We used 107,417 public sequences of S. mansoni and identified 15,614 high-quality candidate SNPs in 12,184 contigs. The presence of predicted SNPs was observed in well characterized antigens and vaccine candidates such as those coding for myosin; Sm14 and Sm23; cathepsin B and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI). Additionally, SNPs were experimentally validated for the cathepsin B. A comparative model of the S. mansoni cathepsin B was built for predicting the possible consequences of amino acid substitutions on the protein structure. An analysis of the substitutions indicated that the amino acids were mostly located on the surface of the molecule, and we found no evidence for a significant conformational change of the enzyme. However, at least one of the substitutions could result in a structural modification of an epitope. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To date, glyceroneogenesis has only been described in mammals but we demonstrate in this paper that it could exist in the invertebrate Schistosoma mansoni, the parasitic helminth transmitted by fresh water molluscs and responsible for the major human endemic disease, schistosomiasis. Glyceroneogenesis is a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)-dependent process by which glycerol can be produced from precursors like glutamine and therefore represents a truncated gluconeogenic pathway. We have previously demonstrated the possible central role of glutamine in mollusc–schistosome interactions. In this work, we show that glutamine effectively promotes in vitro survival and protein synthesis in sporocysts, the intramolluscan larval stages of S. mansoni, possibly through its role as an energy source. However, the demonstration that PEPCK is massively expressed in these larval forms as compared to adult parasites, together with the observation that 3-mercaptopicolinate, a specific inhibitor of PEPCK, significantly reduces the effect of glutamine on sporocyst growth, suggest that glutamine could also be used for glucose or glycerol production. Results of [14C] glutamine incorporation confirmed that neosynthesis of glucose and mainly of glycerol occurred in sporocysts and was dependent on PEPCK activity. Therefore, our results strongly indicate that glyceroneogenesis could exist in schistosomes. Several hypotheses can be proposed concerning the importance of glycerol for the adaptation of this helminth to its host osmotic and energetic environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]