Bioinformatic exploration of RIO protein kinases of parasitic and free-living nematodes

Despite right open reading frame kinases being essential for life, their functions, substrates and cellular pathways remain enigmatic. In the present study, gene structures were characterised for 26 right open reading frame kinase from draft genomes of parasitic and free-living nematodes. RNA-seq transcription profiles of right open reading frame kinase genes were investigated for selected parasitic nematodes and showed that these kinases are transcribed in developmental stages that infect their mammalian host. Three-dimensional structural models of Caenorhabditis elegans right open reading frame kinases were predicted, and elucidated functional domains and conserved regions in nematode homologs. These findings provide prospects for functional studies of RIO kinase genes in C. elegans and an opportunity for the design and validation of nematode-specific inhibitors of these enzymes in socioeconomic parasitic worms.