Molecular mechanisms underlying hematophagia revealed by comparative analyses of leech genomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leeches have been used in traditional Chinese medicine since prehistoric times to treat a spectrum of ailments, but very little is known about their physiological, genetic, and evolutionary characteristics.

Findings

We sequenced and assembled chromosome-level genomes of 3 leech species (bloodsucking Hirudo nipponia and Hirudinaria manillensis and nonbloodsucking Whitmania pigra). The dynamic population histories and genome-wide expression patterns of the 2 bloodsucking leech species were found to be similar. A combined analysis of the genomic and transcriptional data revealed that the bloodsucking leeches have a presumably enhanced auditory sense for prey location in relatively deep fresh water. The copy number of genes related to anticoagulation, analgesia, and a

SUBMITTER: Zheng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10087013 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature