Comparative Analysis of Nanos and Ago Genes Expression in the Germinative Cells Isolated from Germinal Layer and the Neck Region of Echinococcus granulosus.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the differential expression of nanos and ago genes in the protoscoleces, germinal layer, the neck, and the sucker regions of adult Echinococcus granulosus.

Methods: The study was conducted in 2018 at the Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. In the present study E. granulosus protoscoleces were cultured in a di-phasic medium to obtain strobilated worms. The strobilated worms were harvested and using a sterile razor blade, the neck region was separated. In the molecular study the neck sections were compared with the tissues derived from the suckers from the same worm. The primers were specifically designed for RT-qPCR on nanos and ago. The germinative cells were isolated from the cyst germinal layer and cultured in DMEM for further molecular studies. The Immunohisto-chemical profile was designed to explore the nature of nanos protein in the strobilated worms. Differences between and within groups were statistically assessed relative to the protoscoleces.

Results: An increasing nanos gene expressions were found in sucker, neck, cells and germinal layer in comparison to the protoscoleces. The expression of ago gene was decreased in sucker, cell and germinal layer, and increased in the neck region in comparison to the protoscoleces. The results showed that both genes were expressed in all developmental stages of E. granulosus.

Conclusion: nanos and ago genes were differentially expressed at different developmental stages of E. granulosus and may contribute to differentiation of the parasite.