In vivo and in vitro knockdown of FREP2 gene expression in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata using RNA interference.

ABSTRACT: RNA interference (RNAi) is reported here for the first time for Biomphalaria glabrata, the snail intermediate host for the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. The fibrinogen-related protein 2 (FREP2) gene, normally expressed at increased levels following exposure to digenetic trematode parasites, such as S. mansoni or Echinostoma paraensei, was targeted for knockdown. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) corresponding to specific regions of the FREP2 gene was introduced into snails by direct injection into the hemolymph, 2 days prior to exposure to trematodes, or added to co-cultures of B. glabrata embryonic (Bge) cells and E. paraensei sporocysts. After introduction of FREP2 dsRNA, expression levels of FREP2 were significantly reduced, to 20-30% of control values. In addition, we were able to disr

SUBMITTER: Jiang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3641767 | biostudies-literature | 2006

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature