1. The genomes of four tapeworm species reveal adaptations to parasitism.
- Author
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Tsai IJ, Zarowiecki M, Holroyd N, Garciarrubio A, Sánchez-Flores A, Brooks KL, Tracey A, Bobes RJ, Fragoso G, Sciutto E, Aslett M, Beasley H, Bennett HM, Cai X, Camicia F, Clark R, Cucher M, De Silva N, Day TA, Deplazes P, Estrada K, Fernández C, Holland PWH, Hou J, Hu S, Huckvale T, Hung SS, Kamenetzky L, Keane JA, Kiss F, Koziol U, Lambert O, Liu K, Luo X, Luo Y, Macchiaroli N, Nichol S, Paps J, Parkinson J, Pouchkina-Stantcheva N, Riddiford N, Rosenzvit M, Salinas G, Wasmuth JD, Zamanian M, Zheng Y, Cai J, Soberón X, Olson PD, Laclette JP, Brehm K, and Berriman M
- Subjects
- Animals, Biological Evolution, Cestoda drug effects, Cestoda physiology, Cestode Infections drug therapy, Cestode Infections metabolism, Conserved Sequence genetics, Echinococcus granulosus genetics, Echinococcus multilocularis drug effects, Echinococcus multilocularis genetics, Echinococcus multilocularis metabolism, Genes, Helminth genetics, Genes, Homeobox genetics, HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins genetics, Humans, Hymenolepis genetics, Metabolic Networks and Pathways genetics, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Parasites drug effects, Parasites physiology, Proteome genetics, Stem Cells cytology, Stem Cells metabolism, Taenia solium genetics, Adaptation, Physiological genetics, Cestoda genetics, Genome, Helminth genetics, Parasites genetics
- Abstract
Tapeworms (Cestoda) cause neglected diseases that can be fatal and are difficult to treat, owing to inefficient drugs. Here we present an analysis of tapeworm genome sequences using the human-infective species Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus, Taenia solium and the laboratory model Hymenolepis microstoma as examples. The 115- to 141-megabase genomes offer insights into the evolution of parasitism. Synteny is maintained with distantly related blood flukes but we find extreme losses of genes and pathways that are ubiquitous in other animals, including 34 homeobox families and several determinants of stem cell fate. Tapeworms have specialized detoxification pathways, metabolism that is finely tuned to rely on nutrients scavenged from their hosts, and species-specific expansions of non-canonical heat shock proteins and families of known antigens. We identify new potential drug targets, including some on which existing pharmaceuticals may act. The genomes provide a rich resource to underpin the development of urgently needed treatments and control.
- Published
- 2013
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