Transcriptome and proteome dynamics during the embryonation of Fasciola hepatica eggs

Abstract

Fasciola hepatica is a global parasite of livestock which also causes a neglected zoonosis in humans. The parasite’s communication with the host during its complicated lifecycle is based on an ingenious enzymatic apparatus which includes a variety of peptidases. These enzymes are implicated in parasite migration, pathogenesis of the disease, and modification of host immune response. Although the dynamics of proteolytic machinery produced by intra-mammalian F. hepatica life stages has been previously investigated in great detail, peptidases of the eggs so far received little scientific attention. In this study, we performed a comparative RNA-seq analysis aimed at identification of peptidases expressed in F. hepatica eggs at different ages and employed mass spectrometry in order to identify and quantify peptidases translated in F. hepatica egg lysates. Finally, we measured and classified proteolytic activities in extracts from F. hepatica eggs using a library of fluorogenic substrates and peptidase class-selective inhibitors. Using these methods, we observed significant changes in the composition of peptidases during egg maturation.