Project description:Hybrid generations usually face either a heterosis advantage or a breakdown that can be expressed by the level of parasite infection in hybrid hosts. Hybrids are less infected by parasites than parental species (especially F1 generations) or more infected than parental species (especially post-F1 generations). We performed the experiment with blood-feeding gill parasite Paradiplozoon homoion (Monogenea) infecting leuciscid species, Abramis brama and Rutilus rutilus, their F1 generation, and two backcross generations. Backcross generations tended to be more parasitized than parental lines and the F1 generation. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was lower in F1 hybrids and higher in backcross hybrids when compared to each of the parental lines. The main groups of DEGs were shared among lines, however, Abramis brama and Rutilus rutilus differed in some of the top gene ontology (GO) terms. DEG analyses revealed the role of heme binding and erythrocyte differentiation after infection by blood-feeding P. homoion. Two backcross generations shared some of the top GO terms representing mostly downregulated genes associated with P. homoion infection. KEGG analysis revealed the importance of disease-associated pathways. The majority of them were shared by two backcross generations. Our study revealed the most pronounced DEGs associated with monogenean infection in backcross hybrids, potentially explained by hybrid breakdown. The gene expression of F1 hybrids was little affected by P. homoion, suggesting the hybrid advantage.
Project description:The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular interactions zone between the plerocercoid of Ligula intestinalis and its host, a common bream Abramis brama. Using HPLC-MS/MS we performed a comparative proteomic analysis of washes from the parasite surface and from the body cavity of infected and uninfected fish. We identified both parasitic and host proteins on the helminth surface, reflecting an active molecular crosstalk. Functional analysis revealed cestode-specific metabolic and signaling pathways (eg. such as proline biosynthesis and TOR signaling), including those for amino acid biosynthesis, lipid transport, and nutrient sensing. Within the body cavity of infected fish, we detected parasite-derived proteins such as immunomodulators, proteases, and metabolic enzymes. Quantitative changes in host wash proteomes indicated activation of humoral immunity alongside remodeling of proteolytic regulation. Collectively, these data reveal the molecular foundation of L. intestinalis adaptation and the dynamic host-parasite relationships in this system.