The genomes of four tapeworm species reveal adaptations to parasitism

Tapeworms (Cestoda) cause neglected diseases that can be fatal and are difficult to treat, owing to inefficient drugs. Here we present an analysis of tapeworm genome sequences using the human-infective species Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus, Taenia solium and the laboratory model Hymenolepis microstoma as examples. The 115- to 141-megabase genomes offer insights into the evolution of parasitism. Synteny is maintained with distantly related blood flukes but we find extreme losses of genes and pathways that are ubiquitous in other animals, including 34 homeobox families and several determinants of stem cell fate. Tapeworms have specialized detoxification pathways, metabolism that is finely tuned to…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Award: 098051
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Award: BR2045/4-1
• NI
  National Institutes of Health
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Award: BB/G003815/1
• CD
  Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional