https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:3851 Schistosoma sex-biased microRNAs regulate ovarian development and egg production by targeting Wnt signaling pathway Du, Pengfei Pengfei Du Xia, Tianqi Tianqi Xia Li, Xuxin Xuxin Li Giri, Bikash R. Bikash R. Giri Fang, Chuantao Chuantao Fang Li, Shun Shun Li Yan, Shi Shi Yan 0000-0003-4949-9140 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Cheng, Guofeng Guofeng Cheng 0000-0001-5249-1065 Springer Nature journal article open access eng Adult Schistosoma produces a large number of eggs that play essential roles in host pathology and disease dissemination. Consequently, understanding the mechanisms of sexual maturation and egg production may open a new avenue for controlling schistosomiasis. Here, we describe that Bantam miRNA and miR-1989 regulate Wnt signaling pathway by targeting Frizzled-5/7/9, which is involved in ovarian development and oviposition. Additionally, Frizzled-7 could cooperate with SjRho to maintain normal ovarian development and egg productions and SjRho may interact with Hsp60 to potentially support Frizzled-7 trafficking and signaling. Further in vivo inhibition of SjRho in mice model infected with Schistosoma results in a remarkable decrease in worm burden and egg productions. Our findings not only broaden the functions of Bantam miRNA and miR-1989 as well as Wnt signaling pathway, but also imply that interruption of Bantam/miR-1989-Frizzled-5/7/9-SjRho axis may serve as effective targets against schistosomiasis. Animals Female Frizzled Receptors Genetics Frizzled Receptors Metabolism Male Mice MicroRNAs* Genetics MicroRNAs* Metabolism Ovary Growth & Development Ovary Metabolism Ovum Growth & Development Ovum Metabolism Schistosoma Genetics Schistosoma Growth & Development Schistosoma Pphysiology Schistosoma Mansoni Genetics Schistosoma Mansoni Growth & Development Wnt Signaling Pathway http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/api/object/o:3851/download 10.1038/s42003-024-07402-z https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:605 application/pdf Communications Biology issn:2399-3642 VoR Communications Biology 7 1 5.77 MB 2024