Loss of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 6 severely impairs sexual stage development in malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei.

ABSTRACT: Protein phosphorylation plays a critical role during the development of malaria parasites. Here, we performed a functional analysis of the Plasmodium berghei Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 6 (PbPP6), which is associated with the plasma membrane of macrogametes and ookinetes. Compared to wild-type P. berghei, the genetic disruption of pbpp6 (∆pbpp6) resulted in reduced asexual growth of the parasites and prolonged survival of infected mice. The ∆pbpp6 parasites showed impaired gametogenesis, particularly affecting male gametogenesis, which substantially decreased both ookinete formation and mosquito transmission. Transcriptomic analysis revealed an over 11-fold downregulation of nek3, a regulator of MAPK2 within the PKG-Ca2⁺ signaling cascade, foreshadowing pathway dysregulation that was furth

SUBMITTER: Feng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12233266 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature