Abstract

Here we present the draft genome sequence of Setaria digitata, a parasitic nematode affecting cattle. Due to its similarity to Wuchereria bancrofti, the parasitic nematode that causes lymphatic filariasis in humans, S. digitata has been used as a model organism at the genomic level to find drug targets which can be used for the development of novel drugs and/or vaccines for human filariasis. Setaria digitata causes cerebrospinal nematodiasis in goats, sheep, and horses posing a serious threat to livestock in developing countries. The genome sequence of S. digitata will assist in finding candidate genes to use as drug targets in both S. digitata and W. bancrofti. The assembled draft genome is similar to 90 Mb long and contains 8,974 genomicscaffolds with a G+C content of 31.73%.

Keywords

Setaria digitata; cerebrospinal nematodiasis; setariosis; filariasis; helminth; genome; cattle parasite

Published in

Genome Biology and Evolution
2020, volume: 12, number: 2, pages: 3971-3976
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS

Authors' information