Genome-wide diversity and gene expression profiling of Babesia microti isolates identify polymorphic genes that mediate host-pathogen interactions.

Abstract

Babesia microti, a tick-transmitted, intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite circulating mainly among small mammals, is the primary cause of human babesiosis. While most cases are transmitted by Ixodes ticks, the disease may also be transmitted through blood transfusion and perinatally. A comprehensive analysis of genome composition, genetic diversity, and gene expression profiling of seven B. microti isolates revealed that genetic variation in isolates from the Northeast United States is almost exclusively associated with genes encoding the surface proteome and secretome of the parasite. Furthermore, we found that polymorphism is restricted to a small number of genes, which are highly expressed during infection. In order to identify pathogen-encoded factors involved in host-parasite interactions, we screened a proteome array comprised of 174 B. microti proteins, including several predicted members of the parasite secretome. Using this immuno-proteomic approach we identified several novel antigens that trigger strong host immune responses during the onset of infection. The genomic and immunological data presented herein provide the first insights into the determinants of B. microti interaction with its mammalian hosts and their relevance for understanding the selective pressures acting on parasite evolution.

• Authors: Joana C Silva, Emmanuel Cornillot, Carrie McCracken, Sahar Usmani-Brown, Ankit Dwivedi, Olukemi O Ifeonu, Jonathan Crabtree, Hanzel T Gotia, Azan Z Virji, Christelle Reynes, Jacques Colinge, Vidya Kumar, Lauren Lawres, Joseph E Pazzi, Jozelyn V Pablo, Chris Hung, Jana Brancato, Priti Kumari, Joshua Orvis, Kyle Tretina, Marcus Chibucos, Sandy Ott, Lisa Sadzewicz, Naomi Sengamalay, Amol C Shetty, Qi Su, Luke Tallon, Claire M Fraser, Roger Frutos, Douglas M Molina, Peter J Krause, Choukri Ben Mamoun
• Journal: Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 6 Pg. 35284 (10 18 2016) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27752055 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Animals
• Babesia microti (genetics, pathogenicity)
• Babesiosis (genetics, parasitology, transmission)
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Genome, Protozoan
• Genomics
• Host-Parasite Interactions (genetics)
• Humans
• Ixodes (genetics, parasitology)
• Microarray Analysis
• New England
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Proteomics