Application of a cDNA microarray for profiling the gene expression of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces treated with albendazole and artemisinin

• Globally endemic cystic echinoccocosis is a zoonosis caused by E. granulosus (Eg).
• A cDNA-microarray was developed for gene expression profiles (GEPs) of larval Eg.
• GEPs were compared between larval Eg treated with two anthelmintic drugs.
• Albendazole and artemisinin differed in their molecular impacts on larval viability.
• The mechanisms by which these two compounds inhibit parasite viability are complex.

Cystic echinoccocosis (CE) is a neglected zoonosis that is caused by the dog-tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. The disease is endemic worldwide. There is an urgent need for searching effective drug for the treatment of the disease. In this study, we sequenced a cDNA library constructed using RNA isolated from oncospheres, protoscoleces, cyst membrane and adult worms of E. granulosus. A total of 9065 non-redundant or unique sequences were obtained and spotted on chips as uniEST probes to profile the gene expression in protoscoleces of E. granulosus treated with the anthelmintic drugs albendazole and artemisinin, respectively. The results showed that 7 genes were up-regulated and 38 genes were down-regulated in the protoscoleces treated with albendazole. Gene analysis showed that these genes are responsible for energy metabolism, cell cycle and assembly of cell structure. We also identified 100 genes up-regulated and 6 genes down-regulated in the protoscoleces treated with artemisinin. These genes play roles in the transduction of environmental signals, and metabolism. Albendazole appeared its drug efficacy in damaging cell structure, while artemisinin was observed to increase the formation of the heterochromatin in protoscolex cells. Our results highlight the utility of using cDNA microarray methods to detect gene expression profiles of E. granulosus and, in particular, to understand the pharmacologic mechanism of anti-echinococcosis drugs.

Gene ontology analysis of the differential genes expressed in protoscoleces that had been treated with artemisinin (ART) and albendazole (ABZ).Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (197 K)Download as PowerPoint slide