Project description:Ixodes pacificus, the vector of Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) on the west coast, feeds on a variety of hosts including rodents, birds, and lizards. While rodents are reservoirs for Bb and can infect juvenile ticks, lizards are Bb-refractory. Despite the range of bloodmeals for I. pacificus, it is undetermined how larval host bloodmeal identity may affect future nymphal vector competence. Here, we conducted a transcriptome analysis on I. pacificus to determine whether and through what mechanisms host bloodmeal history affects vector competency of I. pacificus for the Lyme disease pathogen.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of germline-ablated P. pacificus worms exposed to S. marcescens for 8 hours versus germline-ablated P. pacificus exposed to the control E. coli OP50. First goal was to identify genes that are involved in immune response of germline-ablated P. pacificus when exposed to S. marcescens. Second, this was compared to longevity-regulating genes in germline-deficient animals (see series GSE37331).
Project description:Pristionchus pacificus has emerged as a valuable model system for comparative and evolutionary-developmental biology (evo-devo) studies alongside the classic model nematode C. elegans. Previous studies have identified a lack of conservation of genetic networks underlying conserved traits, referred to as developmental systems drift. However, the conservation – or lack thereof – of epigenetic pathways which regulate development have not been investigated. In the manuscript associated with this study, we present an “epigenetic toolkit” for P. pacificus and C. elegans to compare and contrast epigenetic pathways. Assembly of this toolkit was done by identifying orthologous genes, including the “writers” and “erasers” of histone modifications. To complement this evolutionary approach, here we produce a data set of the suite of histone modifications present in P. pacificus.
Project description:Ticks are blood feeding arthropod ectoparasites that transmit pathogens, which cause diseases in humans and animals worldwide. In the past ten decades, the continuous human exploitation of environmental resources and the increase in human outdoor activities has promoted contact with arthropod vectors normally present in the wild, resulting in increased transmission of vector-borne pathogens. In addition, vector populations are expanding in response to climate change and human interventions that impact reservoir host movement and human exposure to infected vectors. Among these emerging vector-borne pathogens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) has become an important tick-borne pathogen in the United States, Europe and Asia, with increasing numbers of infected people and animals every year. Diseases caused by A. phagocytophilum include human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), equine and canine granulocytic anaplasmosis and tick-borne fever (TBF) in ruminants. The natural infection cycle of A. phagocytophilum is dependent upon the presence of infected vertebrate reservoir hosts and Ixodid tick vectors. In the United States and Europe the main vector species are Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes pacificus, and Ixodes ricinus, while a wide range of mammals, lizards, and birds serve as reservoir hosts for various A. phagocytophilum genotypes. A. phagocytophilum initially infects tick midgut cells and then subsequently develops in salivary glands for transmission to susceptible hosts during tick feeding where the pathogen infects granulocytic cells, primarily neutrophils. Anaplasma phagocytophilum develops within membrane-bound inclusions in the host cell cytoplasm. This pathogen has evolved with its tick and vertebrate hosts through dynamic processes involving genetic traits of the pathogen and hosts that collectively mediate pathogen infection, development, persistence, and survival. However, the mechanisms used by A. phagocytophilum for molecular mechanisms involved in tick-pathogen interactions have not been fully characterized. The objective of this study is to characterize the dynamics of the microRNA response in the tick vector Ixodes scapularis in response to A. phagocytophilum infection. To address this objective, the composition of tick microRNAs was characterize using RNA sequencing in I. scapularis tick cells in response to A. phagocytophilum infection. The discovery of these mechanisms provides evidence that a control strategy could be developed targeted at both vertebrate and tick hosts for more complete control of A. phagocytophilum and its associated diseases.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of germline-ablated P. pacificus worms exposed to S. marcescens for 8 hours versus germline-ablated P. pacificus exposed to the control E. coli OP50. First goal was to identify genes that are involved in immune response of germline-ablated P. pacificus when exposed to S. marcescens. Second, this was compared to longevity-regulating genes in germline-deficient animals (see series GSE37331). One-condition experiments. Germline ablated P. pacificus worms exposed to S. marcescens for 8 hours versus germline-ablated P. pacificus exposed to the control E. coli OP50. 4 biological replicates for each condition, including 2 dye-swaps.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of germline-ablated P. pacificus worms versus un-ablated wild-type controls. Food source E. coli OP50 for both conditions. The goal was to identify genes that regulate the enhanced longevity observed in germline-deficient animals. One-condition experiments. Germline ablated P. pacificus versus un-ablated wild-type P. pacificus. Developmental stage = Young adults. Food source = E. coli OP50 for both conditions. 3 biological replicates for each condition, including 2 dye-swaps.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE36413 : C. elegans young adults : Exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis DB27 vs. E. coli OP50 exposure; 4hours GSE36493: C. elegans young adults: Exposed to Staphylococcus aureus versus exposed to E. coli OP50 : 4 hours GSE36499: C. elegans young adults: Exposed to Serratia marcescens versus exposed to E. coli OP50 : 4 hours GSE36501: C. elegans young adults: Exposed to Xenorhabdus nematophila versus exposed to E. coli OP50 : 4 hours GSE36517: P. pacificus young adults: Exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis DB27 versus exposed to E. coli OP50 : 4 hours GSE36519: P. pacificus young adults: Exposed to Staphylococcus aureus versus exposed to E. coli OP50 : 4 hours GSE36521: P. pacificus young adults: Exposed to Serratia marcescens versus exposed to E. coli OP50 : 4 hours GSE36523: P. pacificus young adults: Exposed to Xenorhabdus nematophila versus exposed to E. coli OP50 : 4 hours Refer to individual Series