Accelerated evolution of schistosome genes coding for proteins located at the host-parasite interface.

ABSTRACT: Study of proteins located at the host-parasite interface in schistosomes might provide clues about the mechanisms utilized by the parasite to escape the host immune system attack. Micro-exon gene (MEG) protein products and venom allergen-like (VAL) proteins have been shown to be present in schistosome secretions or associated with glands, which led to the hypothesis that they are important components in the molecular interaction of the parasite with the host. Phylogenetic and structural analysis of genes and their transcripts in these two classes shows that recent species-specific expansion of gene number for these families occurred separately in three different species of schistosomes. Enrichment of transposable elements in MEG and VAL genes in Schistosoma mansoni provides a credible mech

SUBMITTER: Philippsen GS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4350168 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature