Infection by a helminth parasite is associated with changes in DNA methylation in the house sparrow.

ABSTRACT: Parasites can exert strong selective pressures on their hosts and influence the evolution of host immunity. While several studies have examined the genetic basis for parasite resistance, the role of epigenetics in the immune response to parasites is less understood. Yet, epigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation, may allow species to respond rapidly to parasite prevalence or virulence. To test the role of DNA methylation in relation to parasite infection, we examined genome-wide DNA methylation before and during infection by a parasitic nematode, Syngamus trachea, in a natural population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). We found that DNA methylation levels were slightly lower in infected house s

SUBMITTER: Lundregan SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9702581 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature