Uncovering Notch pathway in the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Several signaling molecules that govern development
in higher animals have been identified in the parasite
Schistosoma mansoni, including the transforming growth factor
β, protein tyrosine kinases, nuclear hormone receptors,
among others. The Notch pathway is a highly conserved signaling
mechanism which is involved in a wide variety of developmental
processes including embryogenesis and oogenesis
in worms and flies. Here we aimed to provide the molecular
reconstitution of the Notch pathway in S. mansoni using
the available transcriptome and genome databases. Our results
also revealed the presence of the transcripts coded for
SmNotch, SmSu(H), SmHes, and the gamma-secretase complex
(SmNicastrin, SmAph-1, and SmPen-2), throughout all
the life stages analyzed. Besides, it was observed that the
viability and separation of adult worm pairs were not affected
by treatment with N-[N(3,5)-difluorophenacetyl)-L-Alanyl]-
S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), a Notch pathway inhibitor.
Moreover, DAPT treatment decreased the production
of phenotypically normal eggs and arrested their development
in culture. Our results also showed a significant decrease in
SmHes transcript levels in both adult worms and eggs treated
withDAPT. These results provide, for the first time, functional
validation of the Notch pathway in S. mansoni and suggest its
involvement in parasite oogenesis and embryogenesis. Given
the complexity of the Notch pathway, further experiments
shall highlight the full repertoire of Notch-mediated cellular
processes throughout the S. mansoni life cycle.
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Gamma-secretase complex
Citation
MAGALHÃES, L. G. et al. Uncovering Notch pathway in the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni. Parasitology Research, v. 115, p. 3951-3961, 2016. Disponível em: <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00436-016-5161-8>. Acesso em: 15 set. 2017.