Li Xiaochun, Cheng Guifeng, Qin Fanglin, Liu Jinming, Li Hao, Jin Yamei
Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China; College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China.
Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, China.
Vet Parasitol. 2019 Aug;272:31-39. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.06.010. Epub 2019 Jun 20.
The lesswright (lwr) gene and its products are essential molecules in mitosis, DNA repair, and embryo formation in many eukaryotes. In this study, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the Lwr protein was located in the internal tissues and the surface layer of the adult Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) worms. The mRNA expression levels of SjLwr at different points were evaluated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The expression of SjLwr peaked at 14 days and then decreased thereafter. SjLwr expression was relatively more stable in male worms than in female worms. The functions of SjLwr were explored by siRNA-based gene silencing with a simple soaking method. The results showed that knockdown of the SjLwr gene impaired the growth and development of S. japonicum in mice, as well as survival, morphology, reproductive capacity, and egg vitality. These observations imply that SjLwr presents a novel target for the development of immuno- and/or small molecule-based therapeutics for the control and treatment of schistosome infections.
在许多真核生物中，lesswright（lwr）基因及其产物是有丝分裂、DNA修复和胚胎形成过程中的关键分子。在本研究中，免疫组织化学分析显示，Lwr蛋白定位于日本血吸虫成虫的内部组织和表层。通过定量实时RT-PCR评估不同时间点日本血吸虫Lwr（SjLwr）的mRNA表达水平。SjLwr的表达在第14天达到峰值，随后下降。SjLwr在雄虫中的表达相对比雌虫更稳定。采用简单浸泡法通过基于siRNA的基因沉默来探究SjLwr的功能。结果表明，SjLwr基因敲低会损害日本血吸虫在小鼠体内的生长发育，以及其生存、形态、生殖能力和虫卵活力。这些观察结果表明，SjLwr为开发用于控制和治疗血吸虫感染的免疫和/或小分子疗法提供了一个新靶点。
