Genomic characterization of host gene alterations in Theileria annulata-transformed leukocytes.

ABSTRACT: Theileria annulata-infected host leukocytes exhibit cancer-like phenotypes, driven by mechanisms that remain incompletely understood. This study explores the genomic alterations underlying these transformations using whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analyses of six clinically relevant T. annulata-infected cell lines. Here we identify 7867 exon-linked somatic mutations shared across all cell lines, with significant enrichment in oncogenes (e.g., FLT4, NOTCH2, MAP3K1, DAXX, FCGR2B, ROS1) and tumor suppressor genes (e.g., BARD1, KMT2C, GRIN2A, BAP1). These mutations are associated with critical cancer-related pathways. Functional studies revealed that inhibition of the mutated oncogene ROS1 using crizotinib induces death in infected leukocytes, confirming its role in transformation.

SUBMITTER: Dandasena D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12635170 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature