Kinetics of Gender-Regulated Gene Expression in the Filarial Nematode Brugia malayi

摘要

Knowledge of temporal expression profiles for gender-regulated genes facilitates functional annotation by providing timing of action for the corresponding gene products during the development of Brugia malayi. We used qRT-PCR to study the kinetics of expression across the filarial life cycle (MF, L3, L4, early and mature adult) for 52 gender-regulated genes (29 female, 23 male) selected based on microarray analysis. Male-upregulated genes exhibited more dramatic changes in expression (range, 4 to >l,000-fold) over time than "female" genes. 32% of male genes (including LIM domain protein and MSP) had peak expression 6 weeks post-infection (early adult). Other gender-regulated genes in both sexes had peak expression at 10 or 12 weeks post-infection. These studies have begun to provide a framework for understanding sexual differentiation and reproduction in filarial nematodes.