title: Sensory Protein Kinase Signaling in Schistosoma mansoni Cercariae: Host Location and Invasion.
abstract: Schistosoma mansoni cercariae display specific behavioral responses to abiotic/biotic stimuli enabling them to locate and infect the definitive human host. Here we report the effect of such stimulants on signaling pathways of cercariae in relation to host finding and invasion. Cercariae exposed to various light/temperature regimens displayed modulated protein kinase C (PKC), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activities, with distinct responses at 37 °C and intense light/dark, when compared to 24 °C under normal light. Kinase activities were localized to regions including the oral sensory papillae, acetabular ducts, tegument, acetabular glands, and nervous system. Furthermore, linoleic acid modulated PKC and ERK activities concurrent with the temporal release of acetabular gland components. Attenuation of PKC, ERK, and p38 MAPK activities significantly reduced gland component release, particularly in response to linoleic acid, demonstrating the importance of these signaling pathways to host penetration mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ressurreição
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames.
authors.forename: Ruth S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rollinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Aidan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Emery
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames.
authors.forename: Nigel M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058487:Cercaria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D019787:Linoleic Acid; D011494:Protein Kinases
keywords: Schistosoma mansoni; cell signaling; cercariae; extracellular signal-regulated kinase; light; linoleic acid; p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase; protein kinase C; schistosomiasis; temperature