Preliminary characterization and expression of Vasa-like gene in Schistosoma japonicum

Abstract

The Vasa gene is a vital germline marker to study the origin and development of germ cells and gonads in many organisms. Until now, little information was available about the characteristics of the Vasa gene in Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum). In this study, we cloned the open reading frame (ORF) of the S. japonicum Vasa-like gene (Sj-Vasa). The expression pattern and tissue localization of Sj-Vasa were also analyzed. Our results showed that Sj-Vasa shared the general feature of DEAD-box family member proteins. Sj-Vasa was transcribed and expressed throughout the S. japonicum life cycle with transcription exhibiting high levels at day 24 in both male and female worms, and the expression level in the female was always higher than that in the male. Sj-Vasa protein was localized in a variety of tissues of adult schistosomes, including the gonads (ovary, vitellarium, and testes), the subtegument, and some cells of the parenchyma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of preliminary characterization and expression of the Vasa-like gene that may play an important role in the development of the worm, especially in reproductive organs of S. japonicum.

Morphological changes of gonad and gene expression patterns during desexualization in Dugesia japonica (Platyhelminthes: Dugesiidae)

“…Vasa, a member of the ATP-dependent DEAD-box RNA helicase family, is a prototypic marker of the primordial germ cells and of the germ line in the metazoan (Gustafson and Wessel 2010, Skinner et al 2012, Diao et al 2015. Vasa-like homologues have been reported in Platyhelminthes including Macrostomum lignano Ladurner, Schärer, Salvenmoser & Rieger, 2005, Schmidtea polychroa (Schmidt, 1861, Neobenedenia girellae (Hargis, 1955), Paragonimus westermani Kerbert, 1878 and several Dugesia species (Shibata et al 1999, Mochizuki et al 2001, Ishizuka et al 2007, Ohashi et al 2007, Pfister et al 2008.…”

Tyrosine kinase 4 is involved in the reproduction of the platyhelminth parasite Schistosoma japonicum

“…The filtrate was centrifuged. The supernatant and tissue-containing layers were removed, leaving the egg-containing layer, which was diluted in 1.2% saline and passed through a nylon net (300 mesh per inch) [ 9 ]. Parasites were harvested at 16, 24 and 42 days after infection.…”

“…Soluble egg antigens released by the miracidia within the eggs is the major cause of the pathology from the infection [ 7 , 8 ]. Due to the importance of eggs for the life-cycle and for inducing pathogenesis, many genes related to the reproduction, including Vasa [ 9 ], Sj79 [ 10 ], and Wnt5 [ 11 ], have been studied in an effort to control reproductive development. Therefore, understanding the signal transduction pathways and the molecular basis of reproductive regulation in schistosomes is critically important for developing new strategies for preventing and treating schistosomiasis.…”

Silencing of the Vasa gene by RNA interference affects embryonic development and reproductive output in the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi

“…Additionally, Vasa has been shown to regulate the translation of specific mRNAs during early embryonic development (Carrera et al 2000;Gavis and Lehmann 1994), suggesting a broader role in the regulation of gene expression. In addition, the Vasa gene is a well-established marker of germline cells in various organisms, including invertebrates (Fabioux et al 2004;Diao et al 2015;Olsen et al 1997;Wang et al 2022;Zhou et al 2020).…”