bpod-mrc: Close Contact Parasitic flatworms colonising the circulatory system, schistosomes are a se
bpod-mrc: Close Contact Parasitic flatworms colonising the circulatory system, schistosomes are a serious global health concern, estimated to infect 220 million people, mostly in poorer nations, and causing around 250,000 deaths a year. Most health problems associated with schistosomiasis stem from the females’ huge production of eggs, which can accumulate inside organs. To become reproductively active and keep laying eggs, a female worm (pictured, in pink), must be paired with a larger male (in blue), slotting into a groove along its body. Researchers have long known this association is essential, but only recently uncovered how males control female reproduction. Paired males produce an enzyme, SmNRPS, that synthesises a small peptide, named BATT; secreted out into the environment, this pheromone then activates female reproduction, and can do so even in the absence of a male. Disrupting this signalling pathway could prevent egg production, suggesting new avenues for treatments to reduce the symptoms of infection. Written by Emmanuelle Briolat Image by James Collins and Ana Vieira, UTSW. Research by Rui Chen and Jipeng Wang, et al, Collins Lab Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA Image copyright held by the original authors Research published in Cell, April 2022 You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook -- source link