The draft genome of the carcinogenic human liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis.
BACKGROUND
Clonorchis sinensis is a carcinogenic human liver fluke that is widespread in Asian countries. Increasing infection rates of this neglected tropical disease are leading to negative economic and public health consequences in affected regions. Experimental and epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma and the infection rate of C. sinensis. To aid research into this organism, we have sequenced its genome.


RESULTS
We combined de novo sequencing with computational techniques to provide new information about the biology of this liver fluke. The assembled genome has a total size of 516 Mb with a scaffold N50 length of 42 kb. Approximately 16,000 reliable protein-coding gene models were predicted. Genes for the complete pathways for glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and fatty acid metabolism were found, but key genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis are missing from the genome, reflecting the parasitic lifestyle of a liver fluke that receives lipids from the bile of its host. We also identified pathogenic molecules that may contribute to liver fluke-induced hepatobiliary diseases. Large proteins such as multifunctional secreted proteases and tegumental proteins were identified as potential targets for the development of drugs and vaccines.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides valuable genomic information about the human liver fluke C. sinensis and adds to our knowledge on the biology of the parasite. The draft genome will serve as a platform to develop new strategies for parasite control.
Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, PR China.
Xiaoyun
X
Wang
Wenjun
W
Chen
Yan
Y
Huang
Jiufeng
J
Sun
Jingtao
J
Men
Hailiang
H
Liu
Fang
F
Luo
Lei
L
Guo
Xiaoli
X
Lv
Chuanhuan
C
Deng
Chenhui
C
Zhou
Yongxiu
Y
Fan
Xuerong
X
Li
Lisi
L
Huang
Yue
Y
Hu
Chi
C
Liang
Xuchu
X
Hu
Jin
J
Xu
Xinbing
X
Yu
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002415:Cats / Q000469:parasitology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002952:Citric Acid Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D003003:Clonorchiasis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D003004:Clonorchis sinensis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019295:Computational Biology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015723:Gene Library; D049751:Genome, Helminth; D006019:Glycolysis / Q000235:genetics; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D058977:Molecular Sequence Annotation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D026801:Synteny
D005227:Fatty Acids