2014/01/19 by Yat Tang, Xin Gao, Bruce A. Rosa +26 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Immunology and Microbiology · #Ascaris lumbricoides #Biology #Gene #Genetics #Genome #Helminths #Hookworm Infections #Hookworm infection #Immunology #Necator americanus #Parasite Biology and Host Interactions #Parasites and Host Interactions #Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics #Whole genome sequencing
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/ng.2875
openalex publication_date 2014/01/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
Makedonka Mitreva and colleagues report the genome sequence and transcriptome analysis of the hookworm Necator americanus, a prevalent soil-transmitted human parasite and the cause of necatoriasis. They develop a hookworm protein microarray to examine the host parasite interaction and immune response, tested on blood samples from 200 individuals in an endemic region. The hookworm Necator americanus is the predominant soil-transmitted human parasite. Adult worms feed on blood in the small intestine, causing iron-deficiency anemia, malnutrition, growth and development stunting in children, and severe morbidity and mortality during pregnancy in women. We report sequencing and assembly of the N. americanus genome (244 Mb, 19,151 genes). Characterization of this first hookworm genome sequence identified genes orchestrating the hookworm's invasion of the human host, genes involved in blood feeding and development, and genes encoding proteins that represent new potential drug targets against hookworms. N. americanus has undergone a considerable and unique expansion of immunomodulator proteins, some of which we highlight as potential treatments against inflammatory diseases. We also used a protein microarray to demonstrate a postgenomic application of the hookworm genome sequence. This genome provides an invaluable resource to boost ongoing efforts toward fundamental and applied postgenomic research, including the development of new methods to control hookworm and human immunological diseases.