Mosquito long non-coding RNAs are enriched with Transposable Elements.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) lack coding capacity and mounting evidence suggests that they have a regulatory role in diverse organisms. Most knowledge about lncRNAs comes from studies on vertebrates, including a structural association between lncRNAs and transposable elements (TEs). TE sequences are genomic parasites found in all branches of life and are particularly active and abundant in insect genomes.

A proteomics evaluation of the primary and secondary immune response of Biomphalaria straminea challenged by Schistosoma mansoni.

Biomphalaria spp. snails are intermediary hosts of Schistosoma mansoni, etiologic agent of intestinal schistosomiasis, one of the most important neglected tropical diseases. Biomphalaria straminea is an important intermediary host that possess a different phenotype to parasite infection but shows a large geographic distribution and high capacity of new ecologic niche invasion.

Mosquito genomes are frequently invaded by transposable elements through horizontal transfer.

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that parasitize basically all eukaryotic species genomes. Due to their complexity, an in-depth TE characterization is only available for a handful of model organisms. In the present study, we performed a de novo and homology-based characterization of TEs in the genomes of 24 mosquito species and investigated their mode of inheritance.

Investigation of defense response and immune priming in Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria straminea, two species with different susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni.

For many years, the immune response of invertebrates was considered to lack any mechanism of memory. However, the study of their response has shown a kind of acquired immunity, which is not so well understood given the lack of knowledge of the invertebrate defense system. This event can be called "innate immune memory.