(Below N is a link to NCBI taxonomic web page and E link to ESTHER at designed phylum.) > cellular organisms: NE > Eukaryota: NE > Opisthokonta: NE > Metazoa: NE > Eumetazoa: NE > Bilateria: NE > Platyhelminthes: NE > Cestoda: NE > Eucestoda: NE > Cyclophyllidea: NE > Taeniidae: NE > Echinococcus: NE > Echinococcus granulosus: NE
LegendThis sequence has been compared to family alignement (MSA) red => minority aminoacid blue => majority aminoacid color intensity => conservation rate title => sequence position(MSA position)aminoacid rate Catalytic site Catalytic site in the MSA MGHWEVVMFILALEILPTLTHVPIAPLPFKCPHGSPKTRTDVGTYCGRRE TVIWPGKRTTQVDIYYGIRYAQPPTGSLRFKKPVPPIPKPDQIFNANAKP DACYQYIDTLFQNSAGARMWQPNTPLSEDCLFLNIWVPILPPAQKCAKDQ KLPVMVWIFGGSFYSGSSVLDVYDGRFLSTRQDVIVVTLNYRLGPFGFLY LNNSQVPGNMGLWDQRLAIKWVKDHIEKFNGDSSRITLFGESAGAVSVSA HLISPWSHGFFTNAILQSGSVFSYWGVEAPKKQLIQSKRLVEMVGCGGRS GRDLHACLQLKSPESFIEAQDHLIDPNVFFSIPFPPVLDGHFLPYRNSQS FAELGYLKPSGAVMIGMNANEGSYFLLYTLVSNTSFAENIETLPVATHEE YFKALHKVLDIEHDRRPDLMEPLAIYTDFEYKNYSEPVSAQTWTRMLEEI SSDRGFKCPTIDFAQALVNRNRGPRNRLSLRSVTPRTYFYEFVHRTENLP WPKWTHTMHGYEIEYVFGIPFSPVFAEKFYRFGDAERELSDRMMTYWANF ARTGDPNVLANGKNIPSSESPPTASREASPWVSSHSVDASTCLPHHLPMR HWQEFDERTEAFLILDTEQMTTGAHPRSRQCLFWRRWFPIMMQQGNTTVL VAKVFPTSYGHLYRRLKRRLVWRLRGSLGALPRAHSSALTIVLVCFYVNS KIKVRIMRHLIPTSVRYLRSFDGSSTLCGLVCKRLLA
Tapeworms (Cestoda) cause neglected diseases that can be fatal and are difficult to treat, owing to inefficient drugs. Here we present an analysis of tapeworm genome sequences using the human-infective species Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus, Taenia solium and the laboratory model Hymenolepis microstoma as examples. The 115- to 141-megabase genomes offer insights into the evolution of parasitism. Synteny is maintained with distantly related blood flukes but we find extreme losses of genes and pathways that are ubiquitous in other animals, including 34 homeobox families and several determinants of stem cell fate. Tapeworms have specialized detoxification pathways, metabolism that is finely tuned to rely on nutrients scavenged from their hosts, and species-specific expansions of non-canonical heat shock proteins and families of known antigens. We identify new potential drug targets, including some on which existing pharmaceuticals may act. The genomes provide a rich resource to underpin the development of urgently needed treatments and control.
Cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease), caused by the tapeworm E. granulosus, is responsible for considerable human morbidity and mortality. This cosmopolitan disease is difficult to diagnose, treat and control. We present a draft genomic sequence for the worm comprising 151.6 Mb encoding 11,325 genes. Comparisons with the genome sequences from other taxa show that E. granulosus has acquired a spectrum of genes, including the EgAgB family, whose products are secreted by the parasite to interact and redirect host immune responses. We also find that genes in bile salt pathways may control the bidirectional development of E. granulosus, and sequence differences in the calcium channel subunit EgCavbeta1 may be associated with praziquantel sensitivity. Our study offers insights into host interaction, nutrient acquisition, strobilization, reproduction, immune evasion and maturation in the parasite and provides a platform to facilitate the development of new, effective treatments and interventions for echinococcosis control.
Title: Echinococcus granulosus tegumental enzymes as in vitro markers of pharmacological damage: a biochemical and molecular approach Cumino AC, Nicolao MC, Loos JA, Denegri G, Elissondo MC Ref: Parasitol Int, 61:579, 2012 : PubMed
Cystic echinococcosis is a chronic, complex, and neglected disease. Novel therapeutical tools are needed to optimize human treatment. A number of compounds have been investigated, either using in vitro cultured parasites and/or applying in vivo rodent models. Although some of these compounds showed promising activities in vitro, and to some extent also in the rodent models, they have not been translated into clinical applications. Membrane enzyme activities in culture supernatants of treated protoscoleces with calcium modulator drugs and anthelmintic drugs were measured and provided an indication of compound efficacy. This work describes for the first time the detection of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase and acetylcholinesterase activities in supernatants of in vitro treated Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces. Marked differences on the enzymatic activities in supernatants from drug treated cultures were detected. We demonstrated that those genes that show the highest degree of conservation when compared to orthologs, are constitutively and highly expressed in protoscoleces and metacestodes. Due to high sensibility and the lack of activity in supernatants of intact protoscoleces, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase is proposed as the ideal viability marker during in vitro pharmacological studies against E. granulosus protoscoleces.
