RNAi screening of uncharacterized genes identifies promising druggable targets in Schistosoma japonicum.

ABSTRACT: Schistosomiasis affects more than 250 million people worldwide and is one of the neglected tropical diseases. Currently, the treatment of schistosomiasis relies on a single drug-praziquantel-which has led to increasing pressure from drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find new treatments. The development of genome sequencing has provided valuable information for understanding the biology of schistosomes. In the genome of Schistosoma japonicum, approximately 11% of the protein-coding sequences are uncharacterized genes (UGs) annotated as "hypothetical protein" or "protein of unknown function." These poorly understood genes have been unjustifiably neglected, although some may be essential for the survival of the parasites and serve as potential drug targets. In this study,

SUBMITTER: Xie Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11977999 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature