title: The genome and transcriptome of Haemonchus contortus, a key model parasite for drug and vaccine discovery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The small ruminant parasite Haemonchus contortus is the most widely used parasitic nematode in drug discovery, vaccine development and anthelmintic resistance research. Its remarkable propensity to develop resistance threatens the viability of the sheep industry in many regions of the world and provides a cautionary example of the effect of mass drug administration to control parasitic nematodes. Its phylogenetic position makes it particularly well placed for comparison with the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the most economically important parasites of livestock and humans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here we report the detailed analysis of a draft genome assembly and extensive transcriptomic dataset for H. contortus. This represents the first genome to be published for a strongylid nematode and the most extensive transcriptomic dataset for any parasitic nematode reported to date. We show a general pattern of conservation of genome structure and gene content between H. contortus and C. elegans, but also a dramatic expansion of important parasite gene families. We identify genes involved in parasite-specific pathways such as blood feeding, neurological function, and drug metabolism. In particular, we describe complete gene repertoires for known drug target families, providing the most comprehensive understanding yet of the action of several important anthelmintics. Also, we identify a set of genes enriched in the parasitic stages of the lifecycle and the parasite gut that provide a rich source of vaccine and drug target candidates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The H. contortus genome and transcriptome provide an essential platform for postgenomic research in this and other important strongylid parasites.
authors.forename: Roz
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.forename: Taisei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Isheng J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Robin N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Beech
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Holroyd
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bartley
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beasley
authors.forename: Collette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Britton
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Devaney
authors.forename: Aude
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gilabert
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kryukov
authors.forename: Keyu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Alison A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sargison
authors.forename: Gary I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wasmuth
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolstenholme
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berriman
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gilleard
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cotton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000235:genetics*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D049751:Genome, Helminth; D006188:Haemonchiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D006189:Haemonchus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D010802:Phylogeny; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D013045:Species Specificity; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D000947:Antigens, Helminth