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PMID: 23985316 Published · epublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

The genome and transcriptome of Haemonchus contortus, a key model parasite for drug and vaccine discovery.

Genome biology ·Vol. 14 ·No. 8 ·2013-08-28 ·Pages R88

Laing R, Kikuchi T, Martinelli A, Tsai IJ, Beech RN, Redman E, Holroyd N, Bartley DJ, Beasley H, Britton C, Curran D, Devaney E, Gilabert A, Hunt M, Jackson F, Johnston SL, Kryukov I, Li K, Morrison AA, Reid AJ, Sargison N, Saunders GI, Wasmuth JD, Wolstenholme A, Berriman M, Gilleard JS, Cotton JA

Abstract

The small ruminant parasite Haemonchus contortus is the most widely used parasitic nematode in drug discovery, vaccine development and anthelmintic resistance research. Its remarkable propensity to develop resistance threatens the viability of the sheep industry in many regions of the world and provides a cautionary example of the effect of mass drug administration to control parasitic nematodes. Its phylogenetic position makes it particularly well placed for comparison with the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the most economically important parasites of livestock and humans. Here we report the detailed analysis of a draft genome assembly and extensive transcriptomic dataset for H. contortus. This represents the first genome to be published for a strongylid nematode and the most extensive transcriptomic dataset for any parasitic nematode reported to date. We show a general pattern of conservation of genome structure and gene content between H. contortus and C. elegans, but also a dramatic expansion of important parasite gene families. We identify genes involved in parasite-specific pathways such as blood feeding, neurological function, and drug metabolism. In particular, we describe complete gene repertoires for known drug target families, providing the most comprehensive understanding yet of the action of several important anthelmintics. Also, we identify a set of genes enriched in the parasitic stages of the lifecycle and the parasite gut that provide a rich source of vaccine and drug target candidates. The H. contortus genome and transcriptome provide an essential platform for postgenomic research in this and other important strongylid parasites.

MeSH Terms
Animals Anthelmintics/pharmacology Antigens, Helminth/genetics Caenorhabditis elegans/classification,genetics Drug Resistance/genetics Gene Expression Regulation Genes, Helminth Genome, Helminth Haemonchiasis/parasitology,veterinary Haemonchus/classification,drug effects,genetics Host-Parasite Interactions Phylogeny Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid Sheep Sheep Diseases/parasitology Species Specificity Transcriptome
Chemicals
Anthelmintics Antigens, Helminth
Authors & Affiliations
27 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Laing Roz
Kikuchi Taisei
Martinelli Axel
Tsai Isheng J
Beech Robin N
Redman Elizabeth
Holroyd Nancy
Bartley David J
Beasley Helen
Britton Collette
Curran David
Devaney Eileen
Gilabert Aude
Hunt Martin
Jackson Frank
Johnston Stephanie L
Kryukov Ivan
Li Keyu
Morrison Alison A
Reid Adam J
Sargison Neil
Saunders Gary I
Wasmuth James D
Wolstenholme Adrian
Berriman Matthew
Gilleard John S
Cotton James A
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Article Info
Journal
Genome biology
Abbr.
Genome Biol
ISSN
1474-760X
DOI
10.1186/gb-2013-14-8-r88
Published
2013-08-28
Epub
2013-00-28
Pages
R88
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
100960660
PMCID
PMC4054779
Subset
IM
Grants
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council · BB/E018130/1 · United Kingdom
Wellcome Trust · 067811 · United Kingdom
CIHR · 230927 · Canada
Wellcome Trust · 098051 · United Kingdom
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1186/gb-2013-14-8-r88 PMC Full Text View journal details
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