Sequence and functional divergence of gametocyte-specific parasitophorous vacuole membrane proteins in Plasmodium parasites

Publication date: Available online 4 January 2018 Source:Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology Author(s): Elena Deligianni, Maria Andreadaki, Konstantinos Koutsouris, Inga Siden-Kiamos Plasmodium parasites develop within red blood cells in a Parasitophorous Vacuole enclosed by a Membrane, the PVM. The protein family ETRAMP (Early Transcribed Membrane Protein) comprises small proteins inserted in the PVM via a single transmembrane domain. Among those, Pfs16 is specifically found in P. falciparum gametocyte PVM. The P. berghei gene PBANKA_1003900 is syntenic with pfs16. The encoded proteins have a similar domain structure but the overall protein similarity is low. A transcript of the P. berghei gene is only found in gametocytes and ookinetes and a C-terminal mCherry fusion of the protein revealed its presence only in gametocytes. A knock-out mutant of the PBANKA_1003900 gene was not affected in sexual development and ookinete formation was similar to WT. The mutation had no adverse effect on transmission through the mosquito although there was a reduction of the number of oocysts formed by the mutant parasites Graphical abstract

Source: Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology - January 4, 2018 Category: Parasitology Source Type: research