Functional characterization of malaria parasites deficient in the K⁺ channel Kch2.

ABSTRACT: K⁺ channels are integral membrane proteins, which contribute to maintain vital parameters such as the cellular membrane potential and cell volume. Malaria parasites encode two K⁺ channel homologues, Kch1 and Kch2, which are well-conserved among members of the Plasmodium genus. In the rodent malaria parasite P. berghei, the functional significance of K⁺ channel homologue PbKch2 was studied using targeted gene knock-out. The knockout parasites were characterized in a mouse model in terms of growth-kinetics and infectivity in the mosquito vector. Furthermore, using a tracer-uptake technique with ⁸⁶Rb⁺ as a K⁺ congener, the K⁺ transporting properties of the knockout parasites were assessed.

Results

Genetic disr

SUBMITTER: Ellekvist P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5636674 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature