Poster Presentation 26th Annual Lorne Proteomics Symposium 2021

Comparative study of excretory-secretory proteins released by Schistosoma mansoni-resistant, susceptible and naïve Biomphalaria glabrata (#102)

Conor Fogarty 1 , Tianfang Wang 1 , Scott Cummins 1 , Min Zhao 1 , Mary Duke 2 , Don McManus 2
  1. University of the Sunshine Coast, Caloundra, QUEENSLAND, Australia
  2. Molecular Parasitology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Schistosomiasis is a widespread neglected tropical disease caused by digenetic trematodes called Schistosoma. Due to the current lack of a viable vaccine and the inability of mass drug administration of praziquantel to eliminate the parasite from the ecosystem, alternative management methods are being considered. These include interfering with process of Schistosoma infection of their intermediate molluscan host. Chemical analyses of host-parasite interactions reveal that chemosensation is vital to molluscan host identification, including naïve host preference. Proteomic technique advances enable sophisticated comparative analyses between infected and naïve snail host proteins. This study compared resistant, susceptible and naïve Biomphalaria glabrata snail-conditioned water (SCW) to identify potential attractants and deterrents. Behavioural bioassays were conducted on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia to compare the effects of susceptible, F1 resistant and naïve B. glabrata SCW. The F1 resistant and susceptible B. glabrata SCW excretory–secretory proteins (ESPs) were fractionated using SDS-PAGE, identified with LC-MS/MS and compared to naïve snail ESPs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses based on published studies (including experiments, co-expression, text-mining and gene fusion) identified S. mansoni and B. glabrata protein interaction. A respective total of 291, 410 and 597 ESPs were detected in the susceptible, F1 resistant and naïve SCW. Less overlap in ESPs was identified between susceptible and naïve snails than F1 resistant and naïve snails. F1 resistant B. glabrata ESPs were predominately associated with anti-pathogen activity and detoxification, such as leukocyte elastase and peroxiredoxin. Several susceptible B. glabrata proteins correlated with immunity and anti-inflammation, such as glutathione S-transferase and zinc metalloproteinase, and S. mansoni sporocyst presence. PPI analyses found that uncharacterised S. mansoni protein Smp_142140.1 potentially interacts with numerous B. glabrata proteins. This study identified ESPs released by F1 resistant, susceptible and naïve B. glabrata to explain S. mansoni miracidia interplay. Susceptible B. glabrata ESPs shed light on potential S. mansoni miracidia deterrents. Further targeted research on specific ESPs identified in this study could help inhibit B. glabrata and S. mansoni interactions and stop human schistosomiasis.