RNA-Seq of four larval stages of Schistosoma japonicum.

Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms that require a snail host and a mammalian host to complete its life cycle. Due to the difficulties in obtaining materials, little is known about the molecular aspects of this fluke's larval stages. Based on RNA-Seq, we provide the first high-resolution, transcriptomic analysis of four larval stages of Schistosoma japonicum. The data showed the biological and physical features of each stage, also highlighted that miracidium and cercariae may use a different group of proteases for host invasion.