Using newly optimized genetic tools to probe Strongyloides sensory behaviors

Patricia Mendez; Breanna Walsh; Elissa A Hallem

doi:10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111491

Using newly optimized genetic tools to probe Strongyloides sensory behaviors

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2022 Jul:250:111491. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111491. Epub 2022 Jun 10.

Authors

Patricia Mendez¹, Breanna Walsh², Elissa A Hallem³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: patriciamendez@g.ucla.edu.
² Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: breannawalsh@g.ucla.edu.
³ Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: ehallem@ucla.edu.

Abstract

The oft-neglected human-parasitic threadworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, infects roughly eight percent of the global population, placing disproportionate medical and economic burden upon marginalized communities. While current chemotherapies treat strongyloidiasis, disease recrudescence and the looming threat of anthelminthic resistance necessitate novel strategies for nematode control. Throughout its life cycle, S. stercoralis relies upon sensory cues to aid in environmental navigation and coordinate developmental progression. Odorants, tastants, gases, and temperature have been shown to shape parasite behaviors that drive host seeking and infectivity; however, many of these sensory behaviors remain poorly understood, and their underlying molecular and neural mechanisms are largely uncharacterized. Disruption of sensory circuits essential to parasitism presents a promising strategy for future interventions. In this review, we describe our current understanding of sensory behaviors - namely olfactory, gustatory, gas sensing, and thermosensory behaviors - in Strongyloides spp. We also highlight the ever-growing cache of genetic tools optimized for use in Strongyloides that have facilitated these findings, including transgenesis, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis, RNAi, chemogenetic neuronal silencing, and the use of fluorescent biosensors to measure neuronal activity. Bolstered by these tools, we are poised to enter an era of rapid discovery in Strongyloides sensory neurobiology, which has the potential to shape pioneering advances in the prevention and treatment of strongyloidiasis.

Keywords: Chemosensation; Host-seeking behavior; Parasitic nematodes; Sensory behavior; Strongyloides; Thermosensation.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Life Cycle Stages / genetics
Nematoda* / physiology
Strongyloides stercoralis* / genetics
Strongyloidiasis* / parasitology
Symbiosis

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding