Contents

Contributors

Preface

Access to Colour Illustrations

PART I: PHYLOGENY, GENETICS AND TRANSCRIPTOMES

1 The Evolution of Parasitism in Flatworms

Introduction

The Origins of Obligate Parasitism – The Appearance of the Neodermata

The Radiation of the Parasitic Flatworms

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

2 Genomes and Genomics of Parasitic Flatworms

Introduction

Genome Features

Karyotype Features

Mitochondrial Genomes

Flatworm Genomics

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

3 Genetic Discrimination of Echinococcus Species and Strains

Introduction

Genetic Variation in Echinococcus

Identification of Echinococcus Isolates Using Molecular Genetic Techniques

Molecular Identification of E.granulosus Strains

Detection of Echinococcus Nucleic Acids in Clinical Samples

DNA Detection of Infection in Definitive and Intermediate Hosts

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

4 Ribosomal DNA Variation in Parasitic Flatworms

Introduction

Nuclear Ribosomal Operons

Small and Large Subunit Genes

Mitochondrial Ribosomal Genes

Hybrids

Concluding Remarks

References

5 Genetic Studies on Monogeneans with Emphasis on Gyrodactylus

Introduction

Difficulties in Molecular Studies of Monogenea

Molecular Markers for Monogenean Species

Other Regions of the Monogenean Genome

Monogenean Species Concept and Species Complexes

Molecular Analysis within Monogenean Species

Other Genetic Studies in Monogenea

Concluding Remarks

References

6 The Schistosome Transcriptome

Introduction

The Transcriptome Projects

Transcriptome Comparisons

Evolutionary Implications

Novel Transcripts

Receptors and Host–Parasite Interaction

Immune Evasion

Sex Differences

Genome Data

Novel Drug Targets

Vaccines

Trans-splicing

Retrotransposable Elements

Functional Genomics

Concluding Remarks

References

7 Transgenic Flatworms

Introduction

The Planarian Model

Trematodes and Cestodes

Transformation Techniques for Schistosomes

Cestodes, on the Way to Transgenesis

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

PART II: IMMUNOBIOLOGY, HOST–PARASITE INTERACTION AND CONTROL

8 Immunobiology of Schistosomes

Introduction

Host–Parasite Molecular Interactions

How Schistosomes Evade the Host Immune System

Host Immune Response to Schistosome Infection (Th1 versus Th2)

Potential Players in Th2 Response Induction during a Schistosome Infection

Chemotherapy – An Integral Role for the Immune Response

Immunotherapy

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

9 Cestode Infection: Immunological Considerations from Host and Tapeworm Perspectives

Introduction

Cestode Parasites

Immunology – The Basics

The Intestine and Immune Responses

Specifics of the Host Response to Cestode Infection

Lumenal Infections: The Immune Response to Hymenolepidid Cestodes

Cestode Infections and the Immune Response – Where Do We Go from Here?

Evasion and Subversion of the Host Response

The Beneficial Tapeworm

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

10 Signal Transduction at the Host–Parasite Interface

Introduction

Tegumental Involvement in Signal Transduction: Perception and Reality

Elements of Platyhelminth Signal Transduction Systems

Platyhelminth Signal Transduction Pathways: Tegument and Beyond

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

11 Parasite Effects on the Snail Host Transcriptome

Introduction

Effect of Parasite Infection on the Snail Host: Towards a Molecular Understanding

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

12 Developments in the Chemotherapy of Parasitic Flatworms

Introduction

Parasites of Animals

Infections of Humans

New Anti-parasitics: Nitazoxanide

Mode of Action of Fasciolicides and Cestodicides

Resistance

Concluding Remarks

References

13 Drug Resistance in Schistosomes

Introduction

Schistosomiasis Chemotherapy

Impact of Praziquantel

Challenges to Detecting and Monitoring Anti-schistosomal Resistance

Cases of Drug Resistance in Schistosomes

Concluding Remarks

References

14 Praziquantel: Mechanism of Action

Introduction

Praziquantel Mode of Action

Voltage-gated Ca[sup(2+)] Channels

Schistosome and Flatworm Ca[sup(2+)] Currents

Schistosome Ca[sup(2+)] Channel Subunits

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

15 Cestode Vaccine Development

Introduction

Immunity – Basic Principles

Vaccination – Historical Perspectives

Defined Vaccines

Towards Practical Application of Cestode Vaccines

Protective Immune Responses and Epitope Identification

Predicted Protein Structure and Function of Oncosphere Antigens

Structure of Genes Encoding Oncosphere Antigens

Potential Practical Impact of Vaccination Against Cestode Parasites

Concluding Remarks

References

16 The Development of a Schistosome Vaccine

Introduction

Approaches to Schistosomiasis Vaccine Development

What Is Meant by Protective Immunity?

Attenuated Parasites Can Induce Protective Immunity

Routes to Antigen Identification

An Antigen Cocktail Does Not Improve Vaccine Efficacy

Antigen Formulation

The WHO vaccine trials

Clinical Trials

Why Are High Levels of Protection Difficult to Achieve?

Secreted and Tegument Antigens as Vaccine Targets

Future Prospects

Concluding Remarks

References

PART III: PROTEIN FUNCTION, METABOLISM AND PHYSIOLOGY

17 Flatworm Parasite Proteomics

Introduction

Parasitic Flatworm Sample Preparation

Protein Separation before Two-dimensional Electrophoresis

Separating Proteins by Two-dimensional Protein Electrophoresis

Mass Spectrometry to Unravel the Flatworm Proteome

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI ToF) for parasite analysis

Database Mining and Protein Identification

Proteomics without Two-dimensional Electrophoresis

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

18 Proteases in Trematode Biology

Introduction

The Trematode Gut

Blood as a Source of Amino Acids

Prevention of Blood Clotting

Lysis of Blood Cells

Peptidases Involved in the Digestion of Blood and Tissue Proteins

Regulation of the Digestive Process

Non-feeding Functions Attributed to Peptidases

Protease Phylogeny

Gene Structure, Orthology and Molecular Evolution

Concluding Remarks

References

19 Signalling Molecules and Nerve–Muscle Function

Introduction

Nervous System Structure

Muscle Structure and Organization

Neuronal Signalling Molecules

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgement

References

20 Unusual Aspects of Metabolism in Flatworm Parasites

Introduction

Parasitic versus Free-living Stages

Nutrition

Energy Metabolism

Biosynthetic Capacities

Concluding Remarks

References

21 Glycoconjugate Structures

Introduction

Trematodes (Digenea)

Cestodes

Concluding Remarks

References

22 Gene Silencing in Flatworms Using RNA Interference

Introduction

Molecular Mechanisms of Silencing

Biological Functions of Gene Silencing

RNAi as a Molecular and Therapeutic Tool

RNAi Protocols

RNAi in Flatworms

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

Index

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

V

X