| Autor: |
Sudhir Kumar, Biley A. Abatiyow, Meseret T. Haile, Kenza M. Z. Oualim, Amanda S. Leeb, Ashley M. Vaughan, Stefan H.I. Kappe |
| Jazyk: |
angličtina |
| Rok vydání: |
2022 |
| Předmět: |
|
| Zdroj: |
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Vol 10 (2022) |
| Druh dokumentu: |
article |
| ISSN: |
2296-634X |
| DOI: |
10.3389/fcell.2022.825247 |
| Popis: |
Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage gametocytes are critical for parasite transmission from the human host to the mosquito vector. Mature gametocytes generate fertile male (micro-) or female (macro-) gametes upon activation inside the mosquito midgut. While a number of parasite genes have been described that are critical for P. falciparum gametogenesis and fertility, no parasite gene has been shown to have a unique function in macrogametes. The genome of P. falciparum encodes numerous RNA-binding proteins. We identified a novel protein containing a putative RNA-binding domain, which we named Macrogamete-Contributed Factor Essential for Transmission (MaCFET). This protein is expressed in the asexual and sexual stages. Parasites that carry a deletion of MaCFET (Pfmacfet¯), developed normally as asexual stages, indicating that its function is not essential for the asexual proliferation of the parasite in vitro. Furthermore, Pfmacfet¯ male and female gametocytes developed normally and underwent activation to form microgametes and macrogametes. However, by utilizing genetic crosses, we demonstrate that Pfmacfet¯ parasites suffer a complete female-specific defect in successful fertilization. Therefore, PfMaCFET is a critical female-contributed factor for parasite transmission to the mosquito. Based on its putative RNA-binding properties, PfMaCFET might be in involved in the regulation of mRNAs that encode female-specific functions for fertilization or female-contributed factors needed post fertilization. |
| Databáze: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |
| Externí odkaz: |
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