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- Title
RNA‐seq analysis of parasitism by Intoshia linei (Orthonectida) reveals protein effectors of defence, communication, feeding and growth.
- Authors
Skalon, Elizaveta K.; Starunov, Viktor V.; Slyusarev, George S.
- Abstract
Orthonectida is a group of multicellular endoparasites of a wide range of marine invertebrates. Their parasitic stage is a multinuclear shapeless plasmodium infiltrating host tissues. The development of the following worm‐like sexual generation takes place within the cytoplasm of the plasmodium. The existence of the plasmodial stage and the development of a sexual stage within the plasmodium are unique features to Bilateria. However, the molecular mechanisms that maintain this peculiar organism, and hence enable parasitism in orthonectids, are unknown. Here, we present the first‐ever RNA‐seq analysis of the plasmodium, aimed at the identification and characterization of the plasmodium‐specific protein‐coding genes and corresponding hypothetical proteins that distinguish the parasitic plasmodium stage from the sexual stage of the orthonectid Intoshia linei Giard, 1877, parasite of nemertean Lineus ruber Müller, 1774. We discovered 119 plasmodium‐specific proteins, 82 of which have inferred functions based on known domains. Thirty‐five of the detected proteins are orphans, at least part of which may reflect the unique evolutionary adaptations of orthonectids to parasitism. Some of the identified proteins are known effector molecules of other endoparasites suggesting convergence. Our data indicate that the plasmodium‐specific proteins might be involved in the plasmodium defense against the host, host–parasite communication, feeding and nutrient uptake, growth within the host, and support of the sexual stage development. These molecular processes in orthonectids have not been described before, and the particular protein effectors remained unknown until now. Highlights: We discovered 119 orthonectid proteins that are specific to the parasitic plasmodium stage of the orthonectid Intoshia linei.The function of 82 of these proteins could be inferred from known homologs, superfamilies, and domains, including those enriched among other endoparasites.Thirty‐five proteins lacked homology to any known organism except Orthonectida, and 13 of them showed sequence similarity with proteins from the other orthonectid Intoshia variabili.
- Subjects
RNA sequencing; MARINE invertebrates; NUTRIENT uptake; PROTEINS; ANIMAL feeds; AMINO acid sequence
- Publication
Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular & Developmental Evolution, 2024, Vol 342, Issue 5, p398
- ISSN
1552-5007
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/jez.b.23247