Cambridge: new drug leads from parasite genome sequence

Research lead

An international team of researchers led by the Sanger Centre in Cambridge, UK, have published the genome sequence of the parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni, commonly known as a blood fluke, which is estimated to cause diseases affecting 210 million people in 76 countries.

The researchers have identified several potential new drug targets and believe the sequence will provide further insights to spur the development of treatments.

“This genome sequence catapults schistosomiasis research into a new era,” said Matthew Berriman of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, co-leader of the study. “It provides a foundation for understanding aspects of the parasite’s complex biology as well as a vehicle to immediately identify new targets for drug treatment.”

S. mansoni is far closer to humans in evolutionary terms than many of the major parasites whose genomes have been sequenced, such as malaria or trypanosomes. The researchers have identified similarities between humans and the parasite, to try to exploit the activity of marketed drugs that are currently used in treating other diseases.

More than half of all known drugs are active against cell-surface proteins. In their search, the teams focussed on these targets, as well as processes that are key to the parasite’s survival, such as lipid metabolism.

A search of a database of current drugs found matches to 26 genes in the parasite, a few of which are being explored, but many of which are novel. In a second approach the researchers considered whether any of the parasite’s proteins resemble targets of available drugs, finding more than 90 candidates.

For more information, including research data and news of publications, visit the project’s website: http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Projects/S_mansoni/