Release of Plasmodium sporozoites requires proteins with histone-fold dimerization domains.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 27982038.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/ncomms13846 and PMC identifier 5172368.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The sporozoite, the stage of the malaria parasite transmitted by the mosquito, first develops for ∼2 weeks in an oocyst. Rupture of the oocyst capsule is required for release of sporozoites, which then transfer to the salivary gland where they are injected into a new host. Here we identify two parasite proteins that we call oocyst rupture proteins 1 (ORP1) and ORP2. These proteins have a histone-fold domain (HFD) that promotes heterodimer formation in the oocyst capsule at the time of rupture. Oocyst rupture is prevented in mutants lacking either protein. Mutational analysis confirms the HFD as essential for ORP1 and ORP2 function, and heterodimer formation was verified in vitro. These two proteins are potential targets for blocking transmission of the parasite in the mosquito.
Medical subject headings
- Plasmodium berghei
- Protozoan Proteins
- Sporozoites