Unknown,Transcriptomics,Genomics,Proteomics

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Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of P. falciparum gametocytes: molecular insight into sex-specific processes and translational repression

ABSTRACT: Sexual differentiation of malaria parasites into gametocytes in the vertebrate host and subsequent gamete fertilisation in mosquitoes is essential for the spreading of the disease. The molecular processes orchestrating these transitions are far from fully understood. Here we report the first transcriptome analysis of male and female Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes coupled with a comprehensive proteome analysis. In male gametocytes there is an enrichment of proteins involved in the formation of flagellated gametes; proteins involved in DNA replication, chromatin organisation and axoneme formation. On the other hand, female gametocytes are enriched in proteins required for zygote formation and functions after fertilisation; protein-, lipid- and energy-metabolism. Integration of transcriptome and proteome data revealed 512 highly expressed maternal transcripts without corresponding protein expression indicating large scale translational repression in P. falciparum female gametocytes for the first time. Despite a high degree of conservation between Plasmodium species, 260 of these ârepressed transcriptsâ have not been previously described. Moreover, for some of these genes, protein expression is only reported in oocysts and sporozoites indicating that repressed transcripts can be partitioned into short- and long-term storage. Finally, these data sets provide an essential resource for identification of vaccine/drug targets and for further mechanistic studies. Examining the transcriptome of p47-mCherry positive female and pDynGFP positive (or double positive) male gametocytes by RNA-seq.

ORGANISM(S): Plasmodium falciparum

SUBMITTER: Richard Bartfai

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-75795 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress

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Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of P. falciparum gametocytes: molecular insight into sex-specific processes and translational repression.

Lasonder Edwin E Rijpma Sanna R SR van Schaijk Ben C L BC Hoeijmakers Wieteke A M WA Kensche Philip R PR Gresnigt Mark S MS Italiaander Annet A Vos Martijn W MW Woestenenk Rob R Bousema Teun T Mair Gunnar R GR Khan Shahid M SM Janse Chris J CJ Bártfai Richárd R Sauerwein Robert W RW

Nucleic acids research 20160613 13

Sexual differentiation of malaria parasites into gametocytes in the vertebrate host and subsequent gamete fertilization in mosquitoes is essential for the spreading of the disease. The molecular processes orchestrating these transitions are far from fully understood. Here, we report the first transcriptome analysis of male and female Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes coupled with a comprehensive proteome analysis. In male gametocytes there is an enrichment of proteins involved in the formation o ...[more]

PMID: 27298255

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Project description:For malaria transmission, the parasite must undergo sexual differentiation into mature gametocytes. However, the molecular basis for this critical transition in the parasites life cycle is unknown. Six previously uncharacterized genes, Pfg14.744, Pfg14.745, Pfg14.748, Pfg14.763, Pfg14.752 and Pfg6.6 that are members of a 36 gene Plasmodium falciparum-specific subtelomeric superfamily were found to be expressed in parasites that are committed to sexual development as suggested by co-expression of Pfs16 and Pfg27. Northern blots demonstrated that Pfg14.744 and Pfg14.748 were first expressed before the parasites differentiated into morphologically distinct gametocytes, transcription continued to increase until stage II gametocytes were formed and then rapidly decreased. Immunofluorescence assays indicated that both proteins were only produced in the subpopulation of ring stage parasites that are committed to gametocytogenesis and both localized to the parasitophorous vacuole (PV)b of the early ring stage parasites. As the parasites continued to develop Pfg14.748 remained within the parasitophorous vacuole, while Pfg14.744 was detected in the erythrocyte. The 5' flanking region of either gene alone was sufficient to drive early gametocyte specific expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP). In parasites transfected with a plasmid containing the Pfg14.748 5' flanking region immediately upstream of GFP, fluorescence was observed in a small number of schizonts the cycle before stage I gametocytes were observed. This expression pattern is consistent with commitment to sexual differentiation prior to merozoite release and erythrocyte invasion. Further investigation into the role of these genes in the transition from asexual to sexual differentiation could provide new strategies to block malaria transmission. Microarray analysis was used to compare two clones derived from Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 parasites that differ in their ability to undergo gametocytogenesis. Clone G+ produces gametocytes and clone G- produces very few if any gametocytes. RNA was harvested from the cultures when the asexual parasitemia was 0.9-1.48% (day 4) (n=4) after setting up the gametocyte cultures and 5.2-5.58% (day 6) (n=4) prior to the appearance of morphologically distinct gametocytes and used to generate cDNA that was labeled with Cy3 or Cy5 and hybridized to the Plasmodium falciparum 70 mer oligonucleotide microarray developed by DeRisi and co-workers.

Project description:In eukaryotes, the chromatin architecture has a pivotal role in regulating all DNA-related processes. For P. falciparum, the causative agent of human malaria, the nucleosome landscape of the extremely AT-rich intergenic regulatory regions is largely unexplored. With the aid of a highly controlled MNase-seq procedure we reveal how positioning of nucleosomes provides a structural and regulatory framework to the transcriptional unit. We observe strong positioning of nucleosomes around splice sites that could aid co-transcriptional splicing events. In addition, nucleosome depleted regions are apparent hallmarks of transcription start sites (TSSs) and may support pre-initiation complex assembly. Moreover, we reveal nucleosome occupancy dynamics on strong TSSs during intraerythrocytic development, which correlate with gene expression changes and we observe a characteristic nucleosome architecture of functional - but not inert - TGCATGCA DNA motifs. Collectively, these findings highlight the regulatory capacity of the nucleosome landscape of this deadly human pathogen. Mnase-seq during the intra-erythrocytic asexual cycle of Plasmodium falciparum var2csa-panned 3D7 parasites for 8 time-points, every 5 hours starting from 5 hours post invasion until 40 hours post-invasion (T5-T40). Cycle length of these parasites is ~43 hours, synchronicity window is ~ 8 hours. T40 has 2 technical replicates (independent digestions; T40A, T40B). Additionally, pellet control sample (T15), histone H4-ChIP control (T40A) and sonicated and amplified genomic DNA. Chromatin was digested using a combined MNase + exonuclease III treatment. Libraries were prepared according to a Plasmodium-optimized library preparation procedure including KAPA polymerase-mediated PCR amplification. Strand-specific RNA-seq for expression quantification during the intra-erythrocytic asexual cycle of Plasmodium falciparum var2csa-panned 3D7 parasites for 8 time-points every 5 hours starting from 5 hours post invasion invasion until 40 hours post-invasion (T5-T40). Cycle length of these parasites is ~43 hours, synchronicity window is ~ 8 hours. These samples are originating from the exact same batch of parasites as are the MNase-Seq libraries. Libraries were prepared according to a Plasmodium-optimized library preparation procedure including KAPA polymerase-mediated PCR amplification.

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Dataset Information

Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of P. falciparum gametocytes: molecular insight into sex-specific processes and translational repression

Publications

Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of P. falciparum gametocytes: molecular insight into sex-specific processes and translational repression.

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