Gene models of four Schistocephalus solidus aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are the enzymes responsible for pairing tRNAs with amino acids during protein synthesis. Despite their conserved function, important features of these enzymes vary between species. Because previous research on animal ARSs has predominantly focused on human enzymes, relatively little is known about ARSs from non-vertebrate parasites. To examine helminth-specific ARS features, we used available genomic and RNA-seq data to produce corrected gene models of four ARSs from Schistocephalus solidus , a cestode parasite. Predicted gene models were verified and extended by PCR amplification and sequencing of S. solidus cDNA, revealing single nucleotide variations we attribute to geographical variation.