Hookworm genome sequenced

An international collaboration, including researchers from James Cook University in Cairns, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Brisbane, Macquarie University in Sydney and the University of Melbourne, has sequenced the genome of Necator americanus, the parasitic worm responsible for about 85% of human hookworm infections.

The genome sequence will provide insights into the worm’s biology and is an important step towards identifying new treatments and vaccines with drug resistance arising for current anti-hookworm therapies.

Soil-transmitted parasitic worms, called helminths, are a major cause of neglected tropical diseases that affect an estimated 1-2 billion people worldwide. They are transmitted through contaminated soil and live in the intestines of their host.

An estimated 700 million individuals worldwide are infected with hookworm. The parasite causes a range of symptoms including anaemia, malnutrition in pregnant women and impairment of cognitive and/or physical development in children.

The researchers characterised genes involved in infection of and interaction with the human host, blood feeding and development. They then used this information to prioritise candidate genes for drug targets and new interventions.

For example, 96 members of the SCP/TAP protein family, which are involved in host-parasite interactions, were found to be specific to N. americanus. These provide potential targets for drugs or vaccines.

They also created a protein microarray of 564 N. americanus proteins to screen the blood of 200 infected individuals. From this they identified antigens that evoked immune responses, providing further potential targets for anti-hookworm treatments.

The draft sequence has been reported in Nature Genetics.