Suppressing Glucose Transporter Gene Expression in Schistosomes Impairs Parasite Feeding and Decreases Survival in the Mammalian Host

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000932
• Publication Date: 2010-06-03T20:22:41Z
• Authors: Greice Krautz-Pet...; Mariana Simoes; Zahra Faghiri; David Ndegwa; Guilherme Oliveira; Charles B. Shoemaker; Patrick J. Skelly
• Keywords: Viral tegument

Adult schistosomes live in the host's bloodstream where they import nutrients such as glucose across their body surface (the tegument). The parasite tegument is an unusual structure since it enclosed not by typical one but two closely apposed lipid bilayers. Within importing proteins have been identified; these are schistosome transporter (SGTP) 1 and 4. SGTP4 present host interactive, apical tegumental membranes, while SGTP1 found basal membrane (as well internal tissues). SGTPs act facilitated diffusion. To examine importance of for parasites, RNAi was employed to knock down expression both SGTP genes schistosomula adult worm life stages. Both qRT-PCR western blotting analysis confirmed successful gene suppression. It that or SGTP4-suppressed parasites exhibit impaired ability compared control worms. In addition, with simultaneously suppressed showed a further reduction capacity single gene. Despite this debility, all exhibited no phenotypic distinction controls when cultured rich medium. Following prolonged incubation glucose-depleted medium however, significantly fewer SGTP-suppressed survived. Finally, decreased viability vivo following infection experimental animals. These findings provide direct evidence exogenous show important normal development mammalian host.