Regulation of Schistosoma mansoni development and reproduction by the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Protein kinases are proven targets for drug development with an increasing number of eukaryotic Protein Kinase (ePK) inhibitors now approved as drugs. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members connect cell-surface receptors to regulatory targets within cells and influence a number of tissue-specific biological activities such as cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. However, the contributions of members of the MAPK pathway to schistosome development and survival are unclear.

Methodology/principal findings

We employed RNA interference (RNAi) to elucidate the functional roles of five S. mansoni genes (SmCaMK2, SmJNK, SmERK1, SmERK2 and SmRas) involved in MAPK signaling pathway. Mice were injected with post-infective larvae (schistosomula) su

SUBMITTER: Andrade LF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4063740 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature