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Profiles of small non-coding RNAs in Schistosoma japonicum during development.
- Source :
-
PLoS neglected tropical diseases [PLoS Negl Trop Dis] 2011 Aug; Vol. 5 (8), pp. e1256. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Aug 02. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Background: The gene regulation mechanism along the life cycle of the genus Schistosoma is complex. Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are essential post transcriptional gene regulation elements that affect gene expression and mRNA stability. Preliminary studies indicated that sncRNAs in schistosomal parasites are generated through different pathways, which are developmentally regulated. However, the data of sncRNAs of schistosomal parasites are still fragmental and a complete expression profile of sncRNAs during the parasite development requires a deep investigation.<br />Methodology/principal Findings: We employed high-throughput genome-wide transcriptome analytic techniques to explore the dynamic expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs) of Schistosoma japonicum covering the free-living cercarial stage and all stages in the definitive host. This led us to analyze over 70 million clean reads represented both high and low abundance of the small RNA population. Patterns of differential expression of miRNAs and endo-siRNAs were observed. MiRNAs was twice more than endo-siRNAs in cercariae, but gradually decreased along with the development of the parasite. Both small RNA types were presented in equal aboudance in lung-stage schistosomula, while endo-siRNAs accumulated to 6 times more than miRNAs in adult female worms and hepatic eggs. Further, miRNAs were found mainly derived from genes located in the intergenic regions, while endo-siRNAs were mainly generated from transposable elements (TEs). The expression pattern of TE-siRNAs, as well as the pseudogene-derived siRNAs clustered in mRNAs of cytoskeletal proteins, stress proteins, enzymes related to energy metabolism also revealed distinction throughout different developmental stages. Natural antisense transcripts (NATs)-related siRNAs accounted for minor proportion of the endo-siRNAs which were dominantly expressed in cercariae.<br />Conclusions/significance: Our results represented a comprehensive expression profile of sncRNAs in various developmental stages of S. japonicum with high accuracy and coverage. The data would facilitate a deep understanding of the parasite biology and potential discovery of novel targets for the design of anti-parasite drugs.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Cluster Analysis
Computational Biology
DNA Transposable Elements
Female
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Larva
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
MicroRNAs metabolism
Mollusca
RNA, Small Interfering metabolism
Rabbits
Schistosoma japonicum metabolism
Schistosomiasis japonica parasitology
Transcriptome
MicroRNAs genetics
RNA, Small Interfering genetics
Schistosoma japonicum genetics
Schistosoma japonicum growth & development
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1935-2735
- Volume :
- 5
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 21829742
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001256