Small non-coding RNAs have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm Strongyloides venezuelensis
Abstract The gastrointestinal parasitic nematode Strongyloides spp. has a unique life cycle that alternates between a parasitic generation that reproduces through mitotic parthenogenesis and a dioecious free-living sexually reproducing generation. Adult females from these two generations are genetic...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Dominika Lastik Asuka Kounosu Mehmet Dayi Akemi Yoshida Akito Fujihira Kieran Reynolds Vicky L. Hunt Taisei Kikuchi |
| author_facet | Dominika Lastik Asuka Kounosu Mehmet Dayi Akemi Yoshida Akito Fujihira Kieran Reynolds Vicky L. Hunt Taisei Kikuchi |
| author_sort | Dominika Lastik |
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| description | Abstract The gastrointestinal parasitic nematode Strongyloides spp. has a unique life cycle that alternates between a parasitic generation that reproduces through mitotic parthenogenesis and a dioecious free-living sexually reproducing generation. Adult females from these two generations are genetically identical, making them an informative model to identify molecular differences between parasitic and free-living lifestyles and understand different reproductive strategies. We investigated the expression of small RNAs (sRNAs) that are either enriched for a 5’ monophosphate modification (5’pN) or are 5’ modification-independent, across five life cycle stages of the rodent parasite Strongyloides venezuelensis. We identified miRNAs and small-interfering RNAs expressed by S. venezuelensis that are predicted to target and regulate the expression of protein-coding genes and transposable elements (TEs). Three previously unreported classes of sRNA were identified: (1) 25Gs with a putative role in reproduction in adult females, (2) tRNA-derived 24–28 nt sRNAs (tsRNAs) which are predicted to target TEs in free-living females, and (3) 5’pN-enriched 26–29Cs with 5’ CGAATCC and 3’ TTT motifs expressed in parasitic females. We also confirmed that S. venezuelensis expresses the 27G class of sRNAs involved in TE regulation, which was previously identified in the rodent parasite Strongyloides ratti. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the role of sRNAs in reproductive biology and parasitism. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj-art-7ca4ea8a452d4b11b4a172cf9125ba242025-08-20T03:45:27ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-01968-2Small non-coding RNAs have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm Strongyloides venezuelensisDominika Lastik0Asuka Kounosu1Mehmet Dayi2Akemi Yoshida3Akito Fujihira4Kieran Reynolds5Vicky L. Hunt6Taisei Kikuchi7Department of Life Sciences, University of BathDepartment of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of TokyoForestry Vocational School, Duzce UniversityGenomics and Bioenvironmental Science, Frontier Science Research Center, University of MiyazakiDepartment of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of TokyoDepartment of Life Sciences, University of BathDepartment of Life Sciences, University of BathDepartment of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of TokyoAbstract The gastrointestinal parasitic nematode Strongyloides spp. has a unique life cycle that alternates between a parasitic generation that reproduces through mitotic parthenogenesis and a dioecious free-living sexually reproducing generation. Adult females from these two generations are genetically identical, making them an informative model to identify molecular differences between parasitic and free-living lifestyles and understand different reproductive strategies. We investigated the expression of small RNAs (sRNAs) that are either enriched for a 5’ monophosphate modification (5’pN) or are 5’ modification-independent, across five life cycle stages of the rodent parasite Strongyloides venezuelensis. We identified miRNAs and small-interfering RNAs expressed by S. venezuelensis that are predicted to target and regulate the expression of protein-coding genes and transposable elements (TEs). Three previously unreported classes of sRNA were identified: (1) 25Gs with a putative role in reproduction in adult females, (2) tRNA-derived 24–28 nt sRNAs (tsRNAs) which are predicted to target TEs in free-living females, and (3) 5’pN-enriched 26–29Cs with 5’ CGAATCC and 3’ TTT motifs expressed in parasitic females. We also confirmed that S. venezuelensis expresses the 27G class of sRNAs involved in TE regulation, which was previously identified in the rodent parasite Strongyloides ratti. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the role of sRNAs in reproductive biology and parasitism.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01968-2Strongyloides venezuelensisSmall RNAmicroRNAHelminthNematodeParasite |
| spellingShingle | Dominika Lastik Asuka Kounosu Mehmet Dayi Akemi Yoshida Akito Fujihira Kieran Reynolds Vicky L. Hunt Taisei Kikuchi Small non-coding RNAs have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm Strongyloides venezuelensis Scientific Reports Strongyloides venezuelensis Small RNA microRNA Helminth Nematode Parasite |
| title | Small non-coding RNAs have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm Strongyloides venezuelensis |
| title_full | Small non-coding RNAs have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm Strongyloides venezuelensis |
| title_fullStr | Small non-coding RNAs have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm Strongyloides venezuelensis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Small non-coding RNAs have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm Strongyloides venezuelensis |
| title_short | Small non-coding RNAs have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm Strongyloides venezuelensis |
| title_sort | small non coding rnas have predicted roles in reproductive biology and transposable element regulation in the parasitic worm strongyloides venezuelensis |
| topic | Strongyloides venezuelensis Small RNA microRNA Helminth Nematode Parasite |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01968-2 |
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