The salivary protein Saglin facilitates efficient midgut colonization of Anopheles mosquitoes by malaria parasites.

ABSTRACT: Malaria is caused by the unicellular parasite Plasmodium which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. To initiate sexual reproduction and to infect the midgut of the mosquito, Plasmodium gametocytes are able to recognize the intestinal environment after being ingested during blood feeding. A shift in temperature, pH change and the presence of the insect-specific compound xanthurenic acid have been shown to be important stimuli perceived by gametocytes to become activated and proceed to sexual reproduction. Here we report that the salivary protein Saglin, previously proposed to be a receptor for the recognition of salivary glands by sporozoites, facilitates Plasmodium colonization of the mosquito midgut, but does not contribute to salivary gland i

SUBMITTER: Klug D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10013899 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature