Genomics of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Ascaris</i> and Its Relatives
Nematodes of the genus <i>Ascaris</i> are important parasites of humans and swine, and the phylogenetically related genera (<i>Parascaris, Toxocara</i>, and <i>Baylisascaris)</i> infect mammals of veterinary interest. Over the last decade, considerable genomic res...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-03-01
|
| Series: | Genes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/4/493 |
| _version_ | 1797539745706803200 |
|---|---|
| author | Jianbin Wang |
| author_facet | Jianbin Wang |
| author_sort | Jianbin Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nematodes of the genus <i>Ascaris</i> are important parasites of humans and swine, and the phylogenetically related genera (<i>Parascaris, Toxocara</i>, and <i>Baylisascaris)</i> infect mammals of veterinary interest. Over the last decade, considerable genomic resources have been established for <i>Ascaris</i>, including complete germline and somatic genomes, comprehensive mRNA and small RNA transcriptomes, as well as genome-wide histone and chromatin data. These datasets provide a major resource for studies on the basic biology of these parasites and the host–parasite relationship. <i>Ascaris</i> and its relatives undergo programmed DNA elimination, a highly regulated process where chromosomes are fragmented and portions of the genome are lost in embryonic cells destined to adopt a somatic fate, whereas the genome remains intact in germ cells. Unlike many model organisms, <i>Ascaris</i> transcription drives early development beginning prior to pronuclear fusion. Studies on <i>Ascaris</i> demonstrated a complex small RNA network even in the absence of a piRNA pathway. Comparative genomics of these ascarids has provided perspectives on nematode sex chromosome evolution, programmed DNA elimination, and host–parasite coevolution. The genomic resources enable comparison of proteins across diverse species, revealing many new potential drug targets that could be used to control these parasitic nematodes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:50:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4feab4b0484844078acb0893dbab642e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:50:13Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Genes |
| spelling | doaj.art-4feab4b0484844078acb0893dbab642e2023-11-21T13:07:28ZengMDPI AGGenes2073-44252021-03-0112449310.3390/genes12040493Genomics of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Ascaris</i> and Its RelativesJianbin Wang0Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USANematodes of the genus <i>Ascaris</i> are important parasites of humans and swine, and the phylogenetically related genera (<i>Parascaris, Toxocara</i>, and <i>Baylisascaris)</i> infect mammals of veterinary interest. Over the last decade, considerable genomic resources have been established for <i>Ascaris</i>, including complete germline and somatic genomes, comprehensive mRNA and small RNA transcriptomes, as well as genome-wide histone and chromatin data. These datasets provide a major resource for studies on the basic biology of these parasites and the host–parasite relationship. <i>Ascaris</i> and its relatives undergo programmed DNA elimination, a highly regulated process where chromosomes are fragmented and portions of the genome are lost in embryonic cells destined to adopt a somatic fate, whereas the genome remains intact in germ cells. Unlike many model organisms, <i>Ascaris</i> transcription drives early development beginning prior to pronuclear fusion. Studies on <i>Ascaris</i> demonstrated a complex small RNA network even in the absence of a piRNA pathway. Comparative genomics of these ascarids has provided perspectives on nematode sex chromosome evolution, programmed DNA elimination, and host–parasite coevolution. The genomic resources enable comparison of proteins across diverse species, revealing many new potential drug targets that could be used to control these parasitic nematodes.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/4/493<i>Ascaris</i>parasitic nematodegenometranscriptomesmall RNAhistone modification |
| spellingShingle | Jianbin Wang Genomics of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Ascaris</i> and Its Relatives Genes <i>Ascaris</i> parasitic nematode genome transcriptome small RNA histone modification |
| title | Genomics of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Ascaris</i> and Its Relatives |
| title_full | Genomics of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Ascaris</i> and Its Relatives |
| title_fullStr | Genomics of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Ascaris</i> and Its Relatives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genomics of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Ascaris</i> and Its Relatives |
| title_short | Genomics of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Ascaris</i> and Its Relatives |
| title_sort | genomics of the parasitic nematode i ascaris i and its relatives |
| topic | <i>Ascaris</i> parasitic nematode genome transcriptome small RNA histone modification |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/4/493 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jianbinwang genomicsoftheparasiticnematodeiascarisianditsrelatives |