Characterization of small RNAs in the different developmental stages of carcinogenic parasite-Clonorchis sinensis

Clonorchiasis is a foodborne zoonotic disease caused by Clonorchis sinensis which belongs to trematodes with a complex lifecycle, there are increasing evidences that small RNAs including microRNAs and PIWI-interacting RNAs can participate in regulation of embryonic development. However, there is little information about the small RNAs in the different developmental stages of C. sinensis. In the present study, we investigated profiles of miRNAs and piRNAs in the different developmental stages including eggs, metacercaria and adults of C. sinensis using high-throughout sequencing technology. We found that 152 miRNAs for adults, 147 miRNAs for metacercariae and 161 miRNAs for eggs were identified, of these miRNAs, 52 miRNAs were universally expressed in these three developmental stage. For piRNAs, we also found that there were a total of 4573 piRNAs in adult worms, 3189 piRNAs in eggs and 3853 piRNAs in metacercariae, respectively, and 1127, 426, 756 piRNAs were absolutely expressed only in adults, eggs and metacercariae, respectively. These stage-specific small RNAs might be involved in various biological process and environmental adaption for parasitism as showed by GO and KEGG pathway analysis. The data of present study may provide a basis for future targeting at these stage-specific small RNAs for prevention and control clonorchisias. Overall design: In the present study, the profiles of miRNAs and piRNAs in the different developmental stages including eggs, metacercaria and adults of C. sinensis were systemically investigated using high-throughout sequencing technology, and stage-specific miRNAs and piRNAs were identified; their poteintial roles in the embryonic development of C. sinensis were further ananlyzed by GO and KEGG pathway.