RNA-seq of Fasciola hepatica eggs during the maturation process elucidate the role of proteolytic enzymes

Fasciola hepatica represents a socioeconomically important species of parasitic fluke which causes significant economic losses in the livestock industry. During an indirect life cycle, immature eggs are passed out of the host in the stool and embyonate in the external environment until the release of miracidium which invades a freshwater snail - intermediate host. By utilization of RNA-seq technique (Illumina NextSeq 500), differentially expressed genes were analysed in F. hepatica eggs during the maturation process in three time points: 0 days (freshly laid eggs by adult F. hepatica individuals) and after incubation for 5 and 10 days. Overall design: Examination of 3 egg samples of different ages (0, 5, 10 days), 3 replicates per sample.

肝片形吸虫（Fasciola hepatica）是一类具有重要社会经济意义的寄生吸虫，可给畜牧业造成显著经济损失。其间接生活史过程如下：未成熟虫卵随宿主粪便排出体外，在外界环境中胚化发育，直至毛蚴（miracidium）逸出并侵入作为中间宿主的淡水螺。本研究依托Illumina NextSeq 500平台的RNA测序（RNA-seq）技术，分析了肝片形吸虫虫卵在成熟过程中三个时间点的差异表达基因：0天（成虫刚产出的新鲜虫卵）、孵育5天以及孵育10天的虫卵。实验整体设计：对3个不同日龄（0、5、10天）的虫卵样本开展检测，每个样本设置3次生物学重复。