Nematoda: genes, genomes and the evolution of parasitism.

摘要: Nematodes are remarkably successful, both as free-living organisms and parasites. The diversity of parasitic lifestyles displayed by nematodes, the hosts used, reflects a propensity towards parasitism in phylum, an adaptability to new challenging environments. Parasitism plants animals has evolved many times independently within Nematoda. Analysis these origins using molecular phylogeny highlights underlying mode life. Many vertebrate parasites have arthropod-associated sister taxa, most invade their third stage larvae: features co-occur across tree thus suggest that this may been shared route parasitism. nematode genes genomes greatly facilitated Caenorhabditis elegans project. However, availability whole genome sequence from rhabditid does not simply permit definition 'parasitism' genes; each is mosaic conserved evolutionary novelties. rapid progress projects focussing on species phylum defined sets patterns evolution involvement with various facets parasitism, particular problems acquisition nutrients evasion host immune defences. With advent functional genomics techniques parasites, possibility gene knockout RNA interference, roles putative call now be tested.