See other Science/Tech Articles
Title: Lake sturgeon found to harbor parasite that causes STD in humans
Source:
NY Daily News
URL Source: [None]
Published: May 12, 2010
Author: Rosemary Black
Post Date: 2010-05-21 18:32:44 by Prefrontal Vortex
Keywords: None
Views: 74
Comments: 1
Wednesday, May 12th 2010, 12:58 PM Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that the lake sturgeon genome contains genes that could harbor a protozoan parasite which causes STDs in humans. The genes were found almost by accident, when the scientists were trying to come up with a DNA-based test that would determine the sex of the sturgeon. At present, the only way to figure this out it to look at its internal sexual organs. While they were analyzing DNA from the sturgeon’s gonads, they found the trematode genes that did not originally belong to the sturgeon genome. Some 15 genes discovered in the lake sturgeon came from a parasitic worm called schistosoma, according to Purdue genetics professor Andrew DeWoody. It’s rare to have lateral gene transfer from one animal to the next, DeWoody explains, but it could possibly be an evolutionary way for the sturgeon to create new traits that would allow him to adapt to environmental changes. “It isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the sturgeon,” DeWoody’s associate, Matthew C. Hale, told ScienceDaily. “It probably doesn’t have a cost. It’s either neutral or has a benefit or it wouldn’t be there.” While the lateral gene transfer from a trematode worm could be beneficial to the sturgeon, the presence of the Trichomonas pathogen could turn out to be negative. A human version of Trichomonas causes a common sexually transmitted disease and can cause pregnant women to have their baby early or to have a baby with a low birthweight. Though it’s not clear just how the parasite could affect the lake sturgeon, it may have a negative effect on the fish’s reproductive ability, according to DeWoody. And since lake sturgeon is considered endangered in some areas, this is worrisome. “If it has the same effect in lake sturgeon as it does in humans, that wouldn’t be good,” DeWoody told ScienceDaily. Lake sturgeon, which can live for more than a century, aren’t big on procreating. Females don’t reach sexual maturity for more than 20 years and they lay eggs only every five year. If scientists could understand how pathogens or people are adversely affecting lake sturgeon, this could help conserve them. “Humans can have an effect very quickly and very easily on the sturgeon population,” Hale told Science Daily.
Lake sturgeon found to harbor parasite that causes STD in humans
BY Rosemary Black
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#0)
just as I suspected...
“have your last check be made to the undertaker, and have it bounce. ” - Lod
While they were analyzing DNA from the sturgeon’s gonads, they found the trematode genes that did not originally belong to the sturgeon genome. Some 15 genes discovered in the lake sturgeon came from a parasitic worm called schistosoma, according to Purdue genetics professor Andrew DeWoody.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest