The schistosome excretory system: a key to regulation of metabolism, drug excretion and host interaction

Kusel, J.R., McVeigh, P. and Thornhill, J.A. (2009) The schistosome excretory system: a key to regulation of metabolism, drug excretion and host interaction. Trends in Parasitology, 25(8), pp. 353-358. (doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2009.05.003)

Abstract

There is a gulf between the enormous information content of the various genome projects and the understanding of the life of the parasite in the host. In vitro studies with adult Schistosoma mansoni using several substrates suggest that the excretory system contains both P-glycoproteins and multiresistance proteins. If both these families of protein were active in vivo, they could regulate parasite metabolism and be responsible for the excretion of drugs. During skin penetration, membrane-impermeant molecules of a wide range of molecular weights can be taken into the cercaria and schistosomulum through the nephridiopore, through the surface membrane or through both. We speculate that this uptake process might stimulate novel signalling pathways involved in growth and development.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kusel, Professor John
• Authors: Kusel, J.R., McVeigh, P., and Thornhill, J.A.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Trends in Parasitology
• ISSN: 1471-4922
• Published Online: 18 July 2009