Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda) induces changes in expression of select genes of Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera).
The flour beetle Tribolium confusum is a common experimental intermediate host for the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta, but while many aspects of their host-parasite interactions have been determined to have genetic basis, the genes involved have not been identified. In this paper, we report on the expression of several predicted metabolic and defense-related genes using quantitative polymerase chain reaction 2 weeks after initial infection of the beetle. The expression of heat shock protein 68, a predicted sugar transporter, a pheromone binding protein, and endoglin were up-regulated in infected beetles. The expression of thaumatin-like protein and prophenoloxidase 2/3 was down-regulated in infected beetles, while the mRNA levels of Toll-like receptor 3, Toll-like receptor 4, and lysozyme 4 were not affected by infection with H. diminuta.
Hitchen
Steven J
SJ
CW-405 Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E9.
Shostak
Allen W
AW
Belosevic
Miodrag
M
D000818:Animals; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D048190:Hymenolepis diminuta / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014231:Tribolium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger