In silico characterization of the leech Helobdella robusta’s matrisome

Leeches (Phylum: Annelida) have been extensively studied to elucidate sophisticated evolutionary-conserved biological processes that are similar to those of mammals. Recently, the growing interest on extracellular matrix (ECM), owing to its multifaceted roles in physiological and pathological processes, has led the scientific community towards the definition of the matrisome as the list of all the structural ECM components, of those proteins affiliated to them, and of all secreted factors that the ECM is usually impregnated with. This annotated list is an invaluable tool to get a better insight on the role of a substantial component of every process and could help in the design and analysis of data coming from both classical and “-omics” experiments.
Despite the human matrisome as well as those of several animal models have been already annotated, no specific information regarding Annelids and leeches in particular is available. In this work, using a combination of in silico evolutionary conservation, gene onthology, and structural analyses we conduct a first annotation of the Helobdella robusta’s matrisome.