Protein variation in blood-dwelling schistosome worms generated by differential splicing of micro-exon gene transcripts.

ABSTRACT: Schistosoma mansoni is a well-adapted blood-dwelling parasitic helminth, persisting for decades in its human host despite being continually exposed to potential immune attack. Here, we describe in detail micro-exon genes (MEG) in S. mansoni, some present in multiple copies, which represent a novel molecular system for creating protein variation through the alternate splicing of short (< or =36 bp) symmetric exons organized in tandem. Analysis of three closely related copies of one MEG family allowed us to trace several evolutionary events and propose a mechanism for micro-exon generation and diversification. Microarray experiments show that the majority of MEGs are up-regulated in life cycle stages associated with establishment in the mammalian host after skin penetration. Sequencing of RT

SUBMITTER: DeMarco R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2909574 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature