Journal Article

PUBDB-2024-00270

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png A Microtubule-Associated Protein Is Essential for Malaria Parasite Transmission

Wichers-Misterek, J. S. ; Binder, A. M. ; Mesen-Ramirez, P.CSSB* ; Dorner, L. P. ; Safavi, S. ; Fuchs, G. ; Lenz, T. L. ; Bachmann, A. ; Wilson, D.CSSB* ; Frischknecht, F. ; Gilberger, T. (Corresponding author)CSSB*

2023
American Society for Microbiology Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1128/mbio.03318-22  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2024-00270

Abstract: Mature gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum display a banana (falciform) shape conferred by a complex array of subpellicular microtubules (SPMT) associated with the inner membrane complex (IMC). Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) define MT populations and modulate interaction with pellicular components. Several MAPs have been identified in Toxoplasma gondii, and homologues can be found in the genomes of Plasmodium species, but the function of these proteins for asexual and sexual development of malaria parasites is still unknown. Here, we identified a novel subpellicular MAP, termed SPM3, that is conserved within the genus Plasmodium, especially within the subgenus Laverania, but absent in other Apicomplexa. Conditional knockdown and targeted gene disruption of Pfspm3 in Plasmodium falciparum cause severe morphological defects during gametocytogenesis, leading to round, nonfalciform gametocytes with an aberrant SPMT pattern. In contrast, Pbspm3 knockout in Plasmodium berghei, a species with round gametocytes, caused no defect in gametocytogenesis, but sporozoites displayed an aberrant motility and a dramatic defect in invasion of salivary glands, leading to a decreased efficiency in transmission. Electron microscopy revealed a dissociation of the SPMT from the IMC in Pbspm3 knockout parasites, suggesting a function of SPM3 in anchoring MTs to the IMC. Overall, our results highlight SPM3 as a pellicular component with essential functions for malaria parasite transmission.

Note: L.P.D., and F.F. were supported by DFG (SPP 2332, Physics of Parasitism; FR 2140 13-1), SFB 1129, and FR 2140/10-1. T.L.L. was supported by the DFG, 437857095. This work was partially supported by the German Research Foundation (SPP2225) and the HamburgX project grant. D.W. is supported by the Humboldt Foundation.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. CSSB-BNITM-TG (CSSB-BNITM-TG)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)437857095 - Evolutionäre Genetik und Dynamiken in der Antigenpräsentation und -erkennung des adaptiven Immunsystems (437857095) (437857095)
3. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)441960173 - SPP 2332: Physik des Parasitismus (441960173) (441960173)
4. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)531703706 - Entschlüsselung der molekularen Mechanismen des Austritts von Orientia tsutsugamushi aus der Wirtszelle (531703706) (531703706)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

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