Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE34806: Comparison of gene expression between wild type and AP2-G KO parasites. GSE34877: Comparison of gene expression between wild type and AP2-L KO parasites Refer to individual Series
Project description:Commitment to and completion of sexual development are essential for malaria parasites to be transmitted through mosquitoes. The molecular mechanism(s) responsible for these processes however, remain largely unknown. We have identified two transcription factors (both belonging to the AP2 family) essential for gametocytogenesis. AP2-G mutants are characterised by a complete inability to produce gametocytes. In AP2-G2 mutants the gametocytaemia is very significantly reduced but not completely abolished. We have performed the microarray experiments in order to cokmpare the transcriptomes of these mutantnts to the WT parasites and between each other. As P.berghei parasites are characterised by asynchronous development in the rodent host, the different stage composition of the sample would impact the analysis. Therefore parasites were harvested and matured in in vitro to the schizont stage Pairwaise comparison between the mutants and parental line was performed. 3 biological replicates of each condition were used.
Project description:Commitment to and completion of sexual development are essential for malaria parasites to be transmitted through mosquitoes. The molecular mechanism(s) responsible for these processes however, remain largely unknown. We have identified two transcription factors (both belonging to the AP2 family) essential for gametocytogenesis. AP2-G mutants are characterised by a complete inability to produce gametocytes. In AP2-G2 mutants the gametocytaemia is very significantly reduced but not completely abolished. We have performed the microarray experiments in order to cokmpare the transcriptomes of these mutantnts to the WT parasites and between each other. As P.berghei parasites are characterised by asynchronous development in the rodent host, the different stage composition of the sample would impact the analysis. Therefore parasites were harvested and matured in in vitro to the schizont stage
Project description:In the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, we found that an AP2 family transcription factor designated AP2-L plays a critical role in the development of the liver stage. Using DNA microarray analysis we showed that the expression of several genes, including those of parasitophorous vacuole membrane proteins, was significantly decreased in the early liver stage of AP2-L-depleted parasites. Gene expression of P. berghei liver stages was compared between wild type and AP2-L KO parasites. Liver stage parasites were cultured for 24h using HepG2 cells. Ten and seven biologically independent experiments were performed for wild type and AP2-L KO parasites, respectively.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of gametocyte non-producer lines in Plasmodium berghei Transcriptome of gametocyte non producer lines (natural and genetic KO) and parental (820) lines. The aim of the study was to identify key genes involved in the decision to commit to gametocytogenesis in Plasmodium berghei. These microarrays compare naturally selected lines that do not produce gametocytes, and the parental line and additionally a genetic knock out of AP2-G PBANKA_143750. Data published Sinha, Hughes, et, al Nature tbc.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of gametocyte non-producer lines in Plasmodium berghei Transcriptome of gametocyte non producer lines (natural and genetic KO) and parental (820) lines. The aim of the study was to identify key genes involved in the decision to commit to gametocytogenesis in Plasmodium berghei. These microarrays compare naturally selected lines that do not produce gametocytes, and the parental line and additionally a genetic knock out of AP2-G PBANKA_143750. Data published Sinha, Hughes, et, al Nature tbc. 2- colour microarray comparing to common background pool (containing all life cycle stages). Replicates of different life cycle stages of gametocyte non-producer lines and wild tye (WT) parental control lines
Project description:During the malaria infection, Plasmodium parasites invade the host’s red blood cells where they can differentiate into two different life forms. The majority will replicate asexually and infect new erythrocytes. A small percentage, however, will transform into gametocytes – a specialized sexual stage able to survive and develop when taken up by Anopheles mosquito. As the gametocytes ensure the parasite’s transmission to a new host, their generation is an attractive target for new antimalarial interventions. The molecular mechanisms controlling gametocytogenesis, however, remain largely unknown due to the technical challenges: the early gametocytes are morphologically indistinguishable from asexual parasites and present in very low numbers during the infection. Recently, AP2-G - a transcription factor from an apicomplexa-specific apiAP2 family – was described as indispensable for gametocyte commitment in both human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and rodent malaria model Plasmodium berghei. Therefore, we have decided to test whether the overexpression of this factor alone could increase gametocyte production and enable the investigation of uncharacterised, earliest stages of gametocyte development. To this end, we have engineered PBGAMi - a Plasmodium berghei line, in which all parasites were ap2-g deficient by default but able to overexpress it when induced with rapamycin. While the control parasites (PBGAMi R-), as expected, differentiated into asexual forms (schizonts) only, almost all rapamycin-treated parasites (PBGAMi R+) transformed into gametocytes. We used the generated line to perform RNA-seq analysis of the R- and R+ populations at different time points of their development and identify the changes arising between them, mapping the sequence of events leading to the formation of gametocytes.