Eggs-posed: revision of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> venom allergen-like proteins unveils new genes and offers new insights into egg-host interactions

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41330%2F25%3A106329" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41330/25:106329 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11369-4" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11369-4</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11369-4" target="_blank" >10.1186/s12864-025-11369-4</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Eggs-posed: revision of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> venom allergen-like proteins unveils new genes and offers new insights into egg-host interactions

Original language description

BackgroundVenom allergen-like proteins (VALs) are abundant in the excretory-secretory products (ESPs) of numerous parasitic helminths and have been extensively studied for over 30 years because of their potential to interact with host systems. Despite substantial research, however, the precise functions of these proteins remain largely unresolved. Schistosomes, parasites of the circulatory system, are no exception, with 29 SmVAL genes identified in the genome of Schistosoma mansoni to date. The eggs of these parasites, as primary pathogenic agents, interact directly with host tissues and release excretory-secretory products that aid their egress from the host. Although SmVALs have been detected in the egg secretome in the past, direct evidence of their secretion and functional interaction with host molecules has never been demonstrated. These findings fuel the ongoing debate as to whether egg-expressed SmVALs interact with the mammalian host or are rather miracidial proteins synthesized within the egg during larval development.ResultsBased on complete revision of the SmVAL family and an associated robust transcriptomic meta-analysis of gene expression across the life cycle, we show that many of SmVAL genes, including 6 newly identified genes, are expressed in the infective larvae-producing stages (eggs and sporocysts). Following localization of two "egg-specific" SmVAL9 and SmVAL29 did not prove active secretion of these molecules into surrounding tissues but were aligned with miracidial structures interfacing with the molluscan host, specifically the larval surface and penetration glands. Finally, we show the complete lack of interactions between candidate SmVAL proteins and an array of 755 human cell receptors via a state-of-the-art SAVEXIS screen.ConclusionsOverall, we conclude that these "egg" SmVALs are not involved in direct host-parasite interactions in the mammalian host and are rather proteins employed during intermediate host invasion. Our study revisits and updates the SmVAL gene family, highlighting the limitations of in silico protein function predictions while emphasizing the need for up-to-date datasets and tools together with experimental validation in host-parasite interactions. By uncovering the diversity, expression patterns, and interaction dynamics of SmVALs, we open new avenues for understanding host manipulation and reevaluating orthologous proteins in other helminths.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10603 - Genetics and heredity (medical genetics to be 3)

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA23-06638S" target="_blank" >GA23-06638S: Schistosoma mansoni egg-secreted proteins: a comparative approach to identify bioactive molecules of a human parasite.</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

BMC GENOMICS

ISSN

1471-2164

e-ISSN

1471-2164

Volume of the periodical

26

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC

Number of pages

16

Pages from-to

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UT code for WoS article

001466847000009

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85218700238