title: Compatibility polymorphism in snail/schistosome interactions: From field to theory to molecular mechanisms.
abstract: Coevolutionary dynamics in host-parasite interactions potentially lead to an arms race that results in compatibility polymorphism. The mechanisms underlying compatibility have remained largely unknown in the interactions between the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni, one of the agents of human schistosomiasis. This review presents a combination of data obtained from field and laboratory studies arguing in favor of a matching phenotype model to explain compatibility polymorphism. Investigations focused on the molecular determinants of compatibility have revealed two repertoires of polymorphic and/or diversified molecules that have been shown to interact: the parasite antigens S. mansoni polymorphic mucins and the B. glabrata fibrinogen-related proteins immune receptors. We hypothesize their interactions define the compatible/incompatible status of a specific snail/schistosome combination. This line of thought suggests concrete approaches amenable to testing in field-oriented studies attempting to control schistosomiasis by disrupting schistosome-snail compatibility.
authors.affiliation: Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan F-66860, France. mitta@univ-perp.fr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitta
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Adema
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gourbal
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Loker
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Theron
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins; D009077:Mucins