scholarly journals Treading the Path towards Genetic Control of Snail Resistance to Schistosome Infection

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damilare Famakinde
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Control ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Model System ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Schistosome Infection ◽  
Snail Control ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Natural Vector ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Genetic Techniques

Schistosomiasis remains the most important tropical snail-borne trematodiasis that threatens many millions of human lives. In achieving schistosomiasis elimination targets, sustainable control of the snail vectors represents a logical approach. Nonetheless, the ineffectiveness of the present snail control interventions emphasizes the need to develop new complementary strategies to ensure more effective control outcomes. Accordingly, the use of genetic techniques aimed at driving resistance traits into natural vector populations has been put forward as a promising tool for integrated snail control. Leveraging the Biomphalaria-Schistosoma model system, studies unraveling the complexities of the vector biology and those exploring the molecular basis of snail resistance to schistosome infection have been expanding in various breadths, generating many significant discoveries, and raising the hope for future breakthroughs. This review provides a compendium of relevant findings, and without neglecting the current existing gaps and potential future challenges, discusses how a transgenic snail approach may be adapted and harnessed to control human schistosomiasis.

scholarly journals Transgenic snail approach for the control of schistosomiasis

QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G M Tawfeek
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategy ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Logical Approach ◽  
Snail Control ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Natural Vector ◽  
Genetic Technique ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Genetic Techniques ◽  
Resistance Traits

Abstract Schistosomiasis remains the most important tropical snail-borne trematodiasis that threatens many millions of human lives. In achieving schistosomiasis elimination targets, sustainable control of the snail vectors represents a logical approach. Nonetheless, the ineffectiveness of the present snail control interventions emphasizes the need to develop new complementary strategies to ensure more effective control outcomes. Accordingly, the use of genetic techniques aimed at driving resistance traits into natural vector populations has been put forward as a promising tool for integrated snail control. The use of CRISPR/Cas9 based snail modification strategy appears fascinating and potentially effective. However, this approach is currently still underdeveloped in snail molecular research. This review provides knowledge related to this genetic technique without neglecting the current existing gaps and trying to identify ways to bypass potential future challenges, all are requisites for achieving this promising snail control strategy.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Identification of the Gustatory Receptor Gene Family of the Invasive Pest, Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 611
Author(s):  
Patamarerk Engsontia ◽  
Chutamas Satasook
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Gustatory Receptor ◽  
Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus ◽  
Red Palm Weevil ◽  
Palm Weevil ◽  
Receptor Gene Family

The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a highly destructive pest of oil palm, date, and coconut in many parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has called for international collaboration to develop a multidisciplinary strategy to control this invasive pest. Previous research focused on the molecular basis of chemoreception in this species, particularly olfaction, to develop biosensors for early detection and more effective bait traps for mass trapping. However, the molecular basis of gustation, which plays an essential role in discriminating food and egg-laying sites and chemical communication in this species, is limited because its complete gustatory receptor gene family still has not been characterized. We manually annotated the gene family from the recently available genome and transcriptome data and reported 50 gustatory receptor genes encoding 65 gustatory receptors, including 7 carbon dioxide, 9 sugar, and 49 bitter receptors. This study provides a platform for future functional analysis and comparative chemosensory study. A better understanding of gustation will improve our understanding of this species’ complex chemoreception, which is an important step toward developing more effective control methods.

Understanding Genetic Control of Freezing Resistance Using Potato Species as a Model System

1997 ◽  
pp. 67-75
Author(s):  
Jiwan P. Palta ◽  
John B. Bamberg ◽  
Yu-Kuang Chen ◽  
Sandra E. Vega ◽  
Laurie S. Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Control ◽  
Model System ◽  
Freezing Resistance ◽  
Potato Species

scholarly journals Public-good driven release of heterogeneous resources leads to genotypic diversification of an isogenic yeast population in melibiose.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjali Mahilkar ◽  
Phaniendra Alugoju ◽  
Vijendra Kavatalkar ◽  
Rajeshkannan E. ◽  
Jayadeva Bhat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Source ◽  
Public Good ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Model System ◽  
Microbial Populations ◽  
Adaptive Diversification ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Convenient Model ◽  
Heterogeneous Resources

Adaptive diversification of an isogenic population, and its molecular basis has been a subject of a number of studies in the last few years. Microbial populations offer a relatively convenient model system to study this question. In this context, an isogenic population of bacteria (E. coli, B. subtilis, and Pseudomonas) has been shown to lead to genetic diversification in the population, when propagated for a number of generations. This diversification is known to occur when the individuals in the population have access to two or more resources/environments, which are separated either temporally or spatially. Here, we report adaptive diversification in an isogenic population of yeast, S. cerevisiae, when propagated in an environment containing melibiose as the carbon source. The diversification is driven due to a public good, enzyme α-galactosidase, leading to hydrolysis of melibiose into two distinct resources, glucose and galactose. The diversification is driven by a mutations at a single locus, in the GAL3 gene in the GAL/MEL regulon in the yeast.

Blueberry IPM: Past Successes and Future Challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesar Rodriguez-Saona ◽  
Charles Vincent ◽  
Rufus Isaacs
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
New Production ◽  
Integrated Monitoring ◽  
Invasive Pests ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Maximum Residue Limits ◽  
Future Challenges

Blueberry is a crop native to North America with expanding production and consumption worldwide. In the historical regions of production, integrated pest management (IPM) programs have been developed and provided effective control of key insect pests. These have integrated monitoring programs with physical, cultural, biological, behavioral, and chemical controls to meet the intense demands of consumers and modern food systems. Globalization of the blueberry industry has resulted in new pest-crop associations and the introduction of invasive pests into existing and new blueberry-growing areas. Invasive pests—in particular spotted wing drosophila—have been highly disruptive to traditional IPM programs, resulting in increased use of insecticides and the potential to disrupt beneficial insects. Moreover, regulatory agencies have reduced the number of broad-spectrum insecticides available to growers while facilitating registration and adoption of reduced-risk insecticides that have a narrower spectrum of activity. Despite these new tools, increasing international trade has constrained insecticide use because of maximum residue limits, which are often not standardized across countries. Great potential remains for biological, behavioral, cultural, and physical methods to contribute to blueberry IPM, and with more regions investing in blueberry research, we expect regionally relevant IPM programs to develop in the new production regions.

All in the Family: Primary Megakaryocytes for Studies of Platelet αIIbβ3 Signaling

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (07) ◽  
pp. 259-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Leavitt ◽  
Sanford Shattil
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Model System ◽  
Integrin Signaling ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
The Family ◽  
Viral Transduction ◽  
Inside Out ◽  
Platelet Formation

SummaryIntegrin αIIbβ3 mediates key platelet adhesive responses during hemostasis and thrombosis. Adhesive ligand binding to αIIbβ3 is regulated by “inside-out” signals, while adhesion-dependent cytoskeletal events are regulated by “outside-in” signals from αIIbβ3. Currently, the molecular basis of bidirectional αIIbβ3 signaling is incompletely understood. The functional assessment of integrin signaling pathways in nucleated cells has been facilitated by techniques such as viral transduction which enable expression of dominant-active and dominant-inhibitory gene products. This approach cannot be used with anucleate platelets. However, recent advances in the ability to expand human and murine megakaryocytes from hematopoietic stem cells provide a tractable and genetically manipulatable system for studies of αIIbβ3 signaling. This overview will discuss some of the advantages and limitations of this approach and provide examples of its utility. Thus, in addition to their intrinsic value for understanding hematopoiesis and platelet formation, primary megakaryocytes represent a model system complementary to platelets for unraveling the remaining mysteries of αIIbβ3 signaling.

scholarly journals Molecular Basis of Bacterial Longevity

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran B. Pechter ◽  
Liang Yin ◽  
Yasuhiro Oda ◽  
Larry Gallagher ◽  
Jianming Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rhodopseudomonas Palustris ◽  
Model System ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Quiescent State ◽  
Bacteria Growth ◽  
Longevity Genes ◽  
Longevity Gene

ABSTRACT It is well known that many bacteria can survive in a growth-arrested state for long periods of time, on the order of months or even years, without forming dormant structures like spores or cysts. How is such longevity possible? What is the molecular basis of such longevity? Here we used the Gram-negative phototrophic alphaproteobacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris to identify molecular determinants of bacterial longevity. R. palustris maintained viability for over a month after growth arrest due to nutrient depletion when it was provided with light as a source of energy. In transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) experiments, we identified 117 genes that were required for long-term viability of nongrowing R. palustris cells. Genes in this longevity gene set are annotated to play roles in a number of cellular processes, including DNA repair, tRNA modification, and the fidelity of protein synthesis. These genes are critically important only when cells are not growing. Three genes annotated to affect translation or posttranslational modifications were validated as bona fide longevity genes by mutagenesis and complementation experiments. These genes and others in the longevity gene set are broadly conserved in bacteria. This raises the possibility that it will be possible to define a core set of longevity genes common to many bacterial species. IMPORTANCE Bacteria in nature and during infections often exist in a nongrowing quiescent state. However, it has been difficult to define experimentally the molecular characteristics of this crucial element of the bacterial life cycle because bacteria that are not growing tend to die under laboratory conditions. Here we present and validate the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris as a model system for identification of genes required for the longevity of nongrowing bacteria. Growth-arrested R. palustris maintained almost full viability for weeks using light as an energy source. Such cells were subjected to large-scale mutagenesis to identify genes required for this striking longevity trait. The results define conserved determinants of survival under nongrowing conditions and create a foundation for more extensive studies to elucidate general molecular mechanisms of bacterial longevity. IMPORTANCE Bacteria in nature and during infections often exist in a nongrowing quiescent state. However, it has been difficult to define experimentally the molecular characteristics of this crucial element of the bacterial life cycle because bacteria that are not growing tend to die under laboratory conditions. Here we present and validate the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris as a model system for identification of genes required for the longevity of nongrowing bacteria. Growth-arrested R. palustris maintained almost full viability for weeks using light as an energy source. Such cells were subjected to large-scale mutagenesis to identify genes required for this striking longevity trait. The results define conserved determinants of survival under nongrowing conditions and create a foundation for more extensive studies to elucidate general molecular mechanisms of bacterial longevity.

GENETIC CONTROL OF MALARIA PARASITE TRANSMISSION: THRESHOLD LEVELS FOR INFECTION IN AN AVIAN MODEL SYSTEM

2007 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1072-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
NIJOLE JASINSKIENE ◽  
AURORA ASHIKYAN ◽  
OSVALDO MARINOTTI ◽  
MICHAEL SALAMPESSY ◽  
JUDY COLEMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Control ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Model System ◽  
Parasite Transmission ◽  
Threshold Levels

The Genetics of Mental Retardation

1994 ◽  
Vol 164 (6) ◽  
pp. 747-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Thapar ◽  
Irving I. Gottesman ◽  
Michael J. Owen ◽  
Michael C. O'Donovan ◽  
Peter McGuffin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Retardation ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Heterogeneous Group ◽  
Genetic Syndromes ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Genetic Techniques

Individuals affected by mental retardation are a clinically and aetiologically heterogeneous group. This heterogeneity is particularly highlighted when we consider the genetics of mental retardation. Recent advances in molecular genetic techniques have enabled us to understand more about the molecular basis of several genetic syndromes associated with mental retardation. In contrast, where there is no discrete cause, the interplay of genetic and environmental influences remains poorly understood.

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