title: Methods for Studying the Germline of the Human Parasite Schistosoma mansoni.
abstract: Schistosomes are flatworm parasites that claim the lives of more than 200,000 people in poverty-stricken regions every year. Much of the pathology due to infection is the direct result of injury spurred by the parasite's eggs becoming lodged in host tissues. Thus, asking basic questions about germ cell biology may not only identify novel therapeutic approaches, but could also uncover conserved mechanisms that regulate the germline in diverse metazoa. Here, we detail useful methods for studying the schistosome germline including EdU labeling, whole-mount in situ hybridization, and RNA interference. These methods will hopefully lead to new insights about germline development in the schistosome and facilitate new investigators to begin asking questions about these important and fascinating parasites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Julie N R
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. JamesJ.Collins@UTSouthwestern.edu.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D034622:RNA Interference; D012098:Reproduction; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins
keywords: Germ cell; Reproduction; Schistosome