Transcriptomic profiling and identification of potential hub molecules during the in vitro bidirectional development of Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces

doi:10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2026.03.003

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective To develop a bidirectional developmental model for the differentiation of Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces into vesicles and for the development of somite, decipher the transcriptomic characteristics, and screen hub regulatory molecules. Methods E. multilocularis protoscoleces were induced into vesicle differentiation and somite development using an in vitro culture system. The early differentiation stage and the stable structure-formation stage were selected as representative time points, and changes in the parasite ultrastructure were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The mature stage of vesicle differentiation and the stage of pseudosomite formation were used as developmental time points. RNA was extracted from parasites for transcriptome sequencing, and differential expression genes (DEGs) were screened with protoscoleces as controls. In addition, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was created. Results Swelling of the parasite margin and the visible vesicles were observed on day 9 of differentiation into vesicles, and the protoscolex rostellum degenerated with a reduction in microvilli on day 30 of differentiation into vesicles, with a vesicle formation rate of (34.2 ± 3.4)%. Transcriptomic analysis identified 3 910 DEGs on day 30 of differentiation into vesicles (60.15% of downregulated genes), which was significantly more than that (43.79% of downregulated genes, 621/1 418) on day 9 (χ² = 112.92, P < 0.01). These genes were mainly enriched in membrane receptor signaling and transmembrane transport pathways, and the hub genes were primarily involved in protein synthesis and mitochondrial energy metabolism. Evagination and active motility of protoscoleces was observed on day 3 of development into somite, while obvious neck constriction and posterior pseudosomite enlargement were seen on day 15, with a pseudosomite formation rate of (33.8 ± 2.9)%. Transcriptomic analysis identified 1 520 DEGs (57.83% of upregulated genes) on day 15, which was significantly more than that (51.97% of upregulated genes, 408/785) on day 3 (χ² = 7.19, P < 0.01). These genes were mainly enriched in cell cycle and external factor signaling pathways, and the hub genes were predominantly cell cycle regulatory molecules. Conclusion The bidirectional development of E. multilocularis protoscoleces is regulated by distinct transcriptional programs. Vesicle differentiation is characterized by metabolic and membrane system modulation, whereas somite development is dominated by cell cycle and Wnt signaling, deciphering the molecular regulatory patterns underlying bidirectional development of E. multilocularis protoscoleces. These findings provide the evidence for decoding the regulatory mechanisms of Echinococcus development and for screening potential targets.

Key words: Echinococcus multilocularis, Protoscolex, Transcriptomics, Bidirectional development, Vesicle differentiation, Strobilar development

CLC Number:

R383.33

SU Xuan, LAI Xin, XIE Jun, XIAO Heyu, CAO Yilin, JI Xiaoyao, CHEN Junhu, ZHENG Bin, HU Wei, ZHOU Xiaonong, ZHANG Ting. Transcriptomic profiling and identification of potential hub molecules during the in vitro bidirectional development of Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES, 2026, 44(3): 328-335.

Figures/Tables 6

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