Abstract

The neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis impacts the lives of over 700 million people globally. Schistosoma mansoni, the trematode parasite that causes the most common type of schistosomiasis, requires planorbid pond snails of the genus Biomphalaria to support its larval development and transformation to the form that can infect humans. A greater understanding of neural signaling systems that are specific to the Biomphalaria intermediate host could lead to novel strategies for parasite or snail control. This study characterized a Biomphalaria glabrata neural receptor that is gated by the molluscan neuropeptide FMRF-NH2. The Biomphalaria glabrata FMRF-NH2 gated sodium channel (Bgl-FaNaC) amino acid sequence was highly conserved with FaNaCs found in related gastropods, especially the planorbid Planorbella trivolvis (91% sequence identity). In common with the P. trivolvis FaNaC, the B. glabrata receptor exhibited a low affinity (EC50: 3 x 10-4 M) and high specificity for the FMRF-NH2 agonist. Its expression in the central nervous system, detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, was widespread, with the protein localized mainly to neuronal fibers and the mRNA confined to cell bodies. Colocalization was observed with the FMRF-NH2 tetrapeptide precursor in some neurons associated with male mating behavior. At the mRNA level, Bgl-FaNaC expression in the visceral and left parietal ganglia decreased at 20 days post infection by S. mansoni and in the shedding phase. Altered FMRF-NH2 signaling could be vital for parasite survival and proliferation in its snail intermediate host.