A seven-helix protein acts as a key regulator of translation during human-to-mosquito transmission of Plasmodium falciparum
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Plasmodium falciparum is a unicellular parasite responsible for the majority of 440,000 death due to malaria every year. Due to their essential role for malaria transmission, gametocytes represent prime targets for transmission-blocking strategies intended to prevent spread of the deadly disease. In this study, we explored the signaling pathways leading to gametogenesis and identified a hitherto unknown protein, which structurally belongs to the class of seven-helix proteins and which thus was termed 7-helix-1. The protein is specifically expressed in female gametocytes and gene disruption leads to impaired gamete formation and thus reduced transmission of malaria parasites to mosquitoes. The loss of 7-helix-1 caused significant changes in the expression of components of the molecular machinery needed by eukaryotic cells to synthesize proteins. We thus propose that 7-helix-1 is a key regulator needed to coordinate the increased need of proteins at the onset of gametogenesis.
ORGANISM(S): Plasmodium falciparum
PROVIDER: GSE103012 | GEO | 2018/02/23
REPOSITORIES: GEO
ACCESS DATA