Comparative transcriptome analysis of geographically distinct virulent and attenuated Babesia bovis strains reveals similar gene expression changes through attenuation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Loss of virulence is a phenotypic adaptation commonly seen in prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens. This mechanism is not well studied, especially in organisms with multiple host and life cycle stages such as Babesia, a tick-transmitted hemoparasite of humans and animals. B. bovis, which infects cattle, has naturally occurring virulent strains that can be reliably attenuated in vivo. Previous studies suggest the virulence loss mechanism may involve post-genomic modification. We investigated the transcriptome profiles of two geographically distinct B. bovis virulent and attenuated strain pairs to better understand virulence loss and to gain insight into pathogen adaptation strategies.

Results

Expression microarray and RNA-sequencing approaches were employed to comp

SUBMITTER: Pedroni MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3826834 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature