The Puf-family RNA-binding protein Puf2 controls sporozoite conversion to liver stages in the malaria parasite.

ABSTRACT: Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by unicellular, obligate intracellular parasites of the genus Plasmodium. During host switch the malaria parasite employs specialized latent stages that colonize the new host environment. Previous work has established that gametocytes, sexually differentiated stages that are taken up by the mosquito vector, control expression of genes required for mosquito colonization by translational repression. Sexual parasite development is controlled by a DEAD-box RNA helicase of the DDX6 family, termed DOZI. Latency of sporozoites, the transmission stage injected during an infectious blood meal, is controlled by the eIF2alpha kinase IK2, a general inhibitor of protein synthesis. Whether RNA-binding proteins participate in translational regulation in

SUBMITTER: Muller K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3097211 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature