Complex nutrient channel phenotypes despite Mendelian inheritance in a Plasmodium falciparum genetic cross.

ABSTRACT: Malaria parasites activate a broad-selectivity ion channel on their host erythrocyte membrane to obtain essential nutrients from the bloodstream. This conserved channel, known as the plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC), has been linked to parasite clag3 genes in P. falciparum, but epigenetic switching between the two copies of this gene hinders clear understanding of how the encoded protein determines PSAC activity. Here, we used linkage analysis in a P. falciparum cross where one parent carries a single clag3 gene to overcome the effects of switching and confirm a primary role of the clag3 product with high confidence. Despite Mendelian inheritance, CLAG3 conditional knockdown revealed remarkably preserved nutrient and solute uptake. Even more surprisingly, transport remained sensitiv

SUBMITTER: Gupta A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7048409 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature