A TGF-β type I receptor-like molecule with a key functional role in Haemonchus contortus development. Issue 13 (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Li; Gasser, Robin B.; Korhonen, Pasi K.; Di, Wenda; Li, Fangfang; Zhang, Hongrun; Li, Facai; Zhou, Yanqin; Fang, Rui; Zhao, Junlong; Hu, Min
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 48:Issue 13(2018)
• Page Start: 1023
• Page End: 1033
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Haemonchus contortus -- TGF-β type I receptor -- Development -- RNA interference; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; Parasitology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 571.999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7519

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Hc -TGFBR1 is a TGF β type I receptor-like molecule with conserved domains. Hc-tgfbr1 was transcribed in all developmental stages of Haemonchus contortus . Hc-tgfbr1 regulates H. contortus development in vitro. Hc-tgfbr1 might regulate development through the digestive system in H. contortus . Hc-tgfbr1 failed to rescue the functional deficiency in the Caenorhabditis elegans DR40 strain. Abstract: Here we investigated the gene of a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type I receptor-like molecule in Haemonchus contortus, a highly pathogenic and economically important parasitic nematode of small ruminants. Designated Hc-tgfbr1, this gene is transcribed in all developmental stages of H. contortus, and the encoded protein has glycine-serine rich and kinase domains characteristic of a TGF-β family type I receptor. Expression of a GFP reporter driven by the putative Hc-tgfbr1 promoter localised to two intestinal rings, the anterior-most intestinal ring (int ring I) and the posterior-most intestinal ring (int ring IX) in Caenorhabditis elegans in vivo. Heterologous genetic complementation using a plasmid construct containing Hc-tgfbr1 genomic DNA failed to rescue the function of Ce-daf-1 (a known TGF-β type I receptor gene) in a daf-1 -deficient mutant strain of C. elegans . In addition, a TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor, galunisertib, and double-stranded RNA interference (RNAi) were employed to assess the function of Hc-tgfbr1 in the transition from exsheathed L3 (xL3) to the L4 of H. contortus in vitro, revealing that both galunisertib and Hc-tgfbr1- specific double-stranded RNA could retard L4 development. Taken together, these results provide evidence that Hc-tgfbr1 is involved in developmental processes in H. contortus in the transition from the free-living to the parasitic stage.