Hyperdiverse gene cluster in snail host conveys resistance to human schistosome parasites

Schistosomiasis, a neglected global pandemic, may be curtailed by blocking transmission of the parasite via its intermediate hosts, aquatic snails. Elucidating the genetic basis of snail-schistosome interaction is a key to this strategy. Here we map a natural parasite-resistance polymorphism from a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLoS genetics 2015-03, Vol.11 (3), p.e1005067-e1005067
Main Authors: Tennessen, Jacob A, Théron, André, Marine, Melanie, Yeh, Jan-Ying, Rognon, Anne, Blouin, Michael S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biodiversity and Ecology
Environmental Sciences
Experiments
Gene expression
Genes
Genetic aspects
Genetic engineering
Genetic Variation
Genomics
Haplotypes
Health aspects
Host-bacteria relationships
Host-Parasite Interactions
Humans
Identification and classification
Infections
Mollusks
Multigene Family
Parasites
Schistosoma
Schistosoma mansoni - physiology
Schistosomiasis mansoni - parasitology
Snails
Snails - genetics
Snails - immunology
Snails - parasitology
Tropical diseases
West Indies
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Summary:Schistosomiasis, a neglected global pandemic, may be curtailed by blocking transmission of the parasite via its intermediate hosts, aquatic snails. Elucidating the genetic basis of snail-schistosome interaction is a key to this strategy. Here we map a natural parasite-resistance polymorphism from a Caribbean population of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata. In independent experimental evolution lines, RAD genotyping shows that the same genomic region responds to selection for resistance to the parasite Schistosoma mansoni. A dominant allele in this region conveys an 8-fold decrease in the odds of infection. Fine-mapping and RNA-Seq characterization reveal a 25%) haplotypes across the GRC, a significantly non-neutral pattern, suggests that balancing selection maintains diversity at the GRC. Thus, the GRC resembles immune gene complexes seen in other taxa and is likely involved in parasite recognition. The GRC is a potential target for controlling transmission of schistosomiasis, including via genetic manipulation of snails.
ISSN:1553-7404
1553-7390
1553-7404
DOI:10.1371/journal.pgen.1005067