Project description:To determine the role of ALBA4 in mRNA homeostasis in Plasmodium parasites, we performed comparative total RNA-seq between a WT-GFP line and an alba4-null line. We performed these experiments at three points in the life cycle - asexual (schizont), sexual (gametocyte), and oocyst sporozoite stages. We found that ALBA4 has a multi-faceted role in mRNA homeostasis, and is involved in mRNA fate determination. ALBA4 appears to act in a stage-specific manner, affecting different sets of transcripts in each stage. Our data suggests that ALBA4 plays opposing roles - possibly promoting degradation in schizonts, while promoting mRNA protection in gametocytes. In oocyst sporozoites, it appears that ALBA4 has a mixed role, and may be involved in both degradation and protection of mRNAs.
Project description:Plasmodium yoelii YM asexual blood stage parasites express multiple members of the py235 gene family, part of the super-family of genes including those coding for Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding proteins and Plasmodium falciparum RH proteins. Dr Tony Holder's laboratory (NIMR, London) has been successful in deleting one of the RH family genes (Py01365) by transfection and insertion of the TgDHFR gene, and cloned the resulting parasite in YM background. The gene expression patterns of the mutant parasite line were compared to that of the wild type YM parasite.
Project description:RBPm1, an RNA-binding protein, plays a crucial role in regulating axoneme assembly during male gametogenesis of Plasmodium yoelii. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie this process, we conducted RNA-seq analysis to investigate changes in the male transcriptome resulting from the loss of RBPm1.
