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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
Transition of Plasmodium sporozoites into liver stage-like forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein Pumilio
PLoS Pathogens, Volume 7, No. 5, Article e1002046, Year 2011
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Description
Many eukaryotic developmental and cell fate decisions that are effected post-transcriptionally involve RNA binding proteins as regulators of translation of key mRNAs. In malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.), the development of round, non-motile and replicating exo-erythrocytic liver stage forms from slender, motile and cell-cycle arrested sporozoites is believed to depend on environmental changes experienced during the transmission of the parasite from the mosquito vector to the vertebrate host. Here we identify a Plasmodium member of the RNA binding protein family PUF as a key regulator of this transformation. In the absence of Pumilio-2 (Puf2) sporozoites initiate EEF development inside mosquito salivary glands independently of the normal transmission-associated environmental cues. Puf2- sporozoites exhibit genome-wide transcriptional changes that result in loss of gliding motility, cell traversal ability and reduction in infectivity, and, moreover, trigger metamorphosis typical of early Plasmodium intra-hepatic development. These data demonstrate that Puf2 is a key player in regulating sporozoite developmental control, and imply that transformation of salivary gland-resident sporozoites into liver stage-like parasites is regulated by a post-transcriptional mechanism. © 2011 Gomes-Santos et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Gomes-Santos, Carina S.S.
Unknown Affiliation
Braks, Joanna
Unknown Affiliation
Prudêncio, Miguel
Unknown Affiliation
Carret, Céline Karine
Unknown Affiliation
Gomes, Ana Rita
Unknown Affiliation
Pain, Arnab P.
Unknown Affiliation
Feltwell, Theresa
Unknown Affiliation
Khan, Shahid M.
Unknown Affiliation
Waters, Andrew P.
Unknown Affiliation
Janse, Chris J.
Unknown Affiliation
Mair, Gunnar Rudolf
Unknown Affiliation
Mota, Maria M.
Unknown Affiliation
Statistics
Citations: 87
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.ppat.1002046
ISSN:
15537366
e-ISSN:
15537374
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases