Sex-biased expression profile of Schistosoma mansoni microRNAs

Schistosoma mansoni is a dioecious species, that is, it has two differentiated sexes. Interestingly, this sexual species evolved from a hermaphrodite ancestor. Indeed, most Platyhelminthes are hermaphrodites. Here we characterize the microRNAs of S. mansoni and quantify their differential expression between males and females. Overall design: Mice were infected with Schistosoma mansoni 1-2 weeks prior to dissection. RNA from two independent samples were extracted and sequenced with Illumina MiSeq technology and AB SOLiD 4 technology. Reads were mapped to the reference genome and microRNA detected and analyzed.