Comparative and systems analyses of Leishmania spp. non-coding RNAs through developmental stages

Abstract

Leishmania spp. is the causal agent of several diseases called leishmaniases, neglected diseases that seek to be eradicated in the coming years. We aimed to study the genomic structure and function of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) from Leishmania spp. and to get insights into its RNAome. We studied 26 strains corresponding to 16 different species of Leishmania genus. RNAome analysis revealed the presence of several ncRNAs that are shared through different species, allowing us to differentiate between subgenus and as well as species that are canonically related to visceral leishmaniasis. We found coexpression relationships within coding genes and ncRNAs, thus suggesting possible functional relationships between different coding genes-ncRNAs. Expression analysis in the metacyclic developmental stage comparison for Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania major reveals the presence of shared coexpressed ncRNAs to several other coding genes in both species involved in chromatin structure and host interaction. This work constitutes the first effort to characterize the Leishmania RNAome, supporting further approaches to better understand the role of ncRNAs in the gene regulation, infective process and host-parasite interaction.