Journal article
Vector-based RNA interference of cathepsin B1 in Schistosoma mansoni
Elissaveta B Tchoubrieva, Poh C Ong, Robert N Pike, Paul J Brindley, Bernd H Kalinna
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES | SPRINGER BASEL AG | Published : 2010
Abstract
In helminth parasites, proteolytic enzymes have been implicated in facilitating host invasion, moulting, feeding, and evasion of the host immune response. These key functions render them potential targets for anti-parasite chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Schistosomes feed on host blood and the digested haemoglobin is their major source of amino acids. Haemoglobin digestion is essential for parasite development, growth, and reproduction. We recently reported the use of pseudotyped Moloney murine leukaemia virus to accomplish transformation of Schistosoma mansoni. Here, we report the design of a viral vector expressing a dsRNA hairpin to silence expression of the schistosome cathepsin B1 (SmCB..
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Awarded by NIH-NIAID
Awarded by Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)
Awarded by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Funding Acknowledgements
Schistosome-infected snails were provided by Dr. Fred A. Lewis, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD, USA, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) Contract N01-A1-30026. We gratefully acknowledge the expert advice from Ms. Mary Duke (QMIR, Brisbane, Australia) regarding the establishment of the schistosome life cycle and Mrs. Jane Howard (University of Melbourne, Australia) for technical expertise in producing the virus. The research was supported by NIH-NIAID award number RO1AI072773 to PJB and BHK and by a project grant of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (App ID 454422) to BHK and PJB.