Melanisation of teladorsagia circumcincta larvae exposed to sunlight: a role for GTP-Cyclohydrolase in nematode survival

Baker, R.H., Britton, C. , Roberts, B., Loer, C.M., Matthews, J.B. and Nisbet, A.J. (2012) Melanisation of teladorsagia circumcincta larvae exposed to sunlight: a role for GTP-Cyclohydrolase in nematode survival. International Journal for Parasitology, 42(10), pp. 887-891. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.06.005)

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Abstract

Pre-parasitic stage larvae of a number of parasitic nematodes express high levels of the enzyme GTP-Cyclohydrolase I (GTP-CH). C. elegans mutants which are GTP-CH deficient have low levels of cuticualr melanin and show increased sensitivity to anthelmintic drugs. Exposure of infective larvae of Teladorsagia circumcincta to sunlight leads to increased GTP-CH activity and melanin levels compared to unexposed larvae, suggesting that GTP-CH may protect against exposure to UV. The GTP-CH encoding gene from T. circumcincta was capable of rescuing the phenotype of C. elegans GTP-CH mutants, indicating a conserved role for this enzyme in melanisation.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Britton, Professor Collette
Authors: Baker, R.H., Britton, C., Roberts, B., Loer, C.M., Matthews, J.B., and Nisbet, A.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:International Journal for Parasitology
ISSN:0020-7519
ISSN (Online):1879-0135
Published Online:01 August 2012

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