New insights into the FLPergic complements of parasitic nematodes: Informing deorphanisation approaches

• We report the identification of flp and flp-GPCR gene homologues in parasitic nematodes.
• We provide data to support re-evaluation of the number of flp-genes in nematodes.
• Post BLAST phylogenetic analysis facilitates identification of putative flp-GPCRs in nematode parasites.
• We expose the most highly conserved flp and flp-GPCR genes in key pathogens within phylum Nematoda.

FMRFamide-like peptide (FLP) receptors are appealing as putative anthelmintic targets. To date, 31 flp-encoding genes have been identified in Caenorhabditis elegans and thirteen FLP-activated G-protein coupled receptors (FLP-GPCRs) have been reported. The lack of knowledge on FLPs and FLP-GPCRs in parasites impedes their functional characterisation and chemotherapeutic exploitation. Using homology-based BLAST searches and phylogenetic analyses this study describes the identification of putative flp and flp-GPCR gene homologues in 17 nematode parasites providing the first pan-phylum genome-based overview of the FLPergic complement. These data will facilitate FLP-receptor deorphanisation efforts in the quest for novel control targets for nematode parasites.

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