A seven-helix protein acts as a key regulator of translation during human-to-mosquito transmission of Plasmodium falciparum
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Plasmodium falciparum
PROVIDER: GSE103012 | GEO | 2018/02/23
REPOSITORIES: GEO
Similar Datasets
Project description:Gametogenesis is essential for malaria parasite transmission, but the molecular mechanism of this process remains to be refined. Here, we identified a G-protein-coupled receptor 180 (GPR180) that plays a critical role in signal transduction during gametogenesis in Plasmodium. P. berghei GPR180 was predominantly expressed in gametocytes and ookinetes and associated with the plasma membrane in female gametes and ookinetes. Knockout of pbgpr180 (Δpbgpr180) had no noticeable effect on blood-stage development but impaired gamete formation and reduced transmission of the parasites to mosquitoes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that a large proportion of the dysregulated genes in the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes had assigned functions in cyclic nucleotide signaling transduction. In the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes, the intracellular cGMP level was significantly reduced, and the cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization showed a delay and a reduction in the magnitude during gametocyte activation. These results suggest that PbGPR180 functions upstream of the cGMP-protein kinase G-Ca2+ signaling pathway. In line with this functional prediction, the PbGPR180 protein was found to interact with several transmembrane transporter proteins and the small GTPase Rab6 in activated gametocytes. Allele replacement of pbgpr180 with the P. vivax ortholog pvgpr180 showed equal competence of the transgenic parasite in sexual development, suggesting functional conservation of this gene in Plasmodium spp. Furthermore, an anti-PbGPR180 monoclonal antibody and the anti-PvGPR180 serum possessed robust transmission-blocking activities. These results indicate that GPR180 is involved in signal transduction during gametogenesis in malaria parasites and is a promising target for blocking parasite transmission.
2022-04-06 | GSE198287 | GEO
Project description:Gametogenesis is essential for malaria parasite transmission, but the molecular mechanism of this process remains to be refined. Here, we identified a G-protein-coupled receptor 180 (GPR180) that plays a critical role in signal transduction during gametogenesis in Plasmodium. In the rodent parasite P. berghei, PbGPR180 was expressed during asexual and sexual development, with more prominent expression in gametocytes and ookinetes. While PbGPR180 was predominantly localized to cytoplasmic puncta in asexual stages and gametocytes, it became associated with the plasma membrane in female gametes and ookinetes. Knockout of pbgpr180 (Δpbgpr180) had no noticeable effect on asexual development or gametocytogenesis but impaired gamete formation and reduced transmission of the parasites to mosquitoes. Transcriptome analysis of the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes revealed a large proportion of the dysregulated genes with assigned functions in cyclic nucleotide signaling transduction, especially the cGMP-PKG-Ca2+ signaling cascade. Deletion of pbgpr180 resulted in a delay and reduction in cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization during the induction of gametogenesis. In addition, the intracellular cGMP level was significantly reduced in the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes, suggesting that PbGPR180 functions upstream of the cGMP-PKG-Ca2+ signaling pathway. In line with this function, PbGPR180 protein was found to interact with several transmembrane transporter proteins and a small GTPase, Rab6, in activated gametocytes. Allele replacement of pbgpr180 with the P. vivax ortholog pvgpr180 showed equal competence of the transgenic parasite in sexual development, suggesting functional conservation of this gene in Plasmodium spp . These results indicate that GPR180 is involved in cGMP-PKG-Ca2+ signal transduction to regulate gametogenesis in malaria parasites.
2022-04-01 | PXD030837 | Pride
Project description:In order to identify RNA binding proteins that are essential for male gametogenesis in the rodent malaria parasite P. yoelii, we conducted RNA-seq analysis to identify RBPs that are specifically expressed in male gametocytes.
2024-04-18 | GSE222860 | GEO
Project description:Gametocytogenesis and gametogenesis in malaria parasites are complex processes of cell differentiation and development likely involving many gene products. Gametocytes develop in the blood of the vertebrate host but mature gametocytes are not activated until taken up by the mosquito vector. Several distinct mutants have been described that block gametogenesis but the detailed molecular causes for the mutant phenotypes are not understood. To investigate whether a block in gametogenesis also results in a changed transcriptional profile, we studied two gene deletions mutants; act2(-) lacking stage-specific actin II and CDPK4(-) lacking calcium-dependent protein kinase 4. Whole-genome microarray analysis was performed from RNA of mature gametocytes to compare the transcriptomes of the mutants with wild-type Plasmodium berghei. The microarray analysis identified ~12% of all genes being differentially expressed in either or both mutants compared to normal gametocytes, as defined by at least two-fold change in transcript abundance. A large proportion of differentially expressed genes in both mutants overlapped consistent with the developmental gametocyte arrest. Distinct profiles in each mutant were also observed. Microarray experiments were performed as dual-color hybridizations on Agilent-024169 custom whole genome Plasmodium berghei 44K arrays. To compensate for dye-specific effects, a dye-reversal color-swap was applied.
2015-09-15 | E-GEOD-65032 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Transmission of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum from the human to the mosquito is initiated by sexual precursor cells, the gametocytes. Gametocytes are formed in response to stress signals and following up-take by a blood-feeding Anopheles mosquito initiate sexual reproduction. Gametocytes need to fine tune their gene expression in order to develop inside the mosquito to continue life-cycle progression. Previously we showed that post-translational histone acetylation controls gene expression during gametocyte development and transmission. However, the role of histone methylation remains poorly understood. We here use the histone G9a methyltransferase inhibitor BIX-01294 to investigate the role of histone methylation in regulating gene expression in gametocytes. Growth assays demonstrated that BIX-01294 inhibits intraerythrocytic replication with an IC50 of 13.0 nM. Furthermore, BIX-01294 significantly impairs gametocyte maturation and reduces the formation of gametes and zygotes. Comparative transcriptomics between BIX-01294-treated and untreated immature, mature and activated gametocytes demonstrated greater than 1.5-fold deregulation of over 359 genes. The majority of these genes are transcriptionally down-regulated in the activated gametocytes and could be assigned to transcription, translation, and signaling indicating a contribution of histone methylations in mediating gametogenesis. Our combined data shows that inhibitors of histone methylation may serve as a multi-stage antimalarials.
2019-11-25 | GSE136008 | GEO
Project description:Male and female gametocytes are sexual precursor cells essential for transmission of malaria parasite in the mosquitoes. Differentiation of gametocytes to fertile gametes (gametogenesis) relies on the gender-specific transcriptome. However, how the parasites establish distinct repertoire of gene transcription in the male and female gametocytes remains largely unknown. Here, we report that an Apetala2 (AP2) family transcription factor (TF) AP2-O3 operates as a transcription repressor regulating female gametocyte transcriptome. AP2-O3 is specifically localized in the nucleus of the female gametocytes. AP2-O3-deficient parasites produce apparently normal female gametocytes, which fail to differentiate to fully fertile female gametes, leading to developmental arrest in fertilization and early development post-fertilization. AP2-O3 disruption causes massive up-regulation of transcriptionally dormant male genes and simultaneously down-regulation of highly transcribed female genes in female gametocytes. ChIP-seq and EMSA analysis establish AP2-O3 as a transcription repressor that targets a significant proportion of the upregulated male genes by recognizing an eight-base DNA motif in the promoters. In addition, the maternal AP2-O3 is removed after fertilization, which is required for the zygote to ookinete development. These results demonstrate that global transcriptional repression of male genes in the female gametocytes is required for safeguarding female-specific transcriptome and essential for the mosquito transmission of Plasmodium.
2021-01-26 | GSE157456 | GEO
Project description:Male and female gametocytes are sexual precursor cells essential for transmission of malaria parasite in the mosquitoes. Differentiation of gametocytes to fertile gametes (gametogenesis) relies on the gender-specific transcriptome. However, how the parasites establish distinct repertoire of gene transcription in the male and female gametocytes remains largely unknown. Here, we report that an Apetala2 (AP2) family transcription factor (TF) AP2-O3 operates as a transcription repressor regulating female gametocyte transcriptome. AP2-O3 is specifically localized in the nucleus of the female gametocytes. AP2-O3-deficient parasites produce apparently normal female gametocytes, which fail to differentiate to fully fertile female gametes, leading to developmental arrest in fertilization and early development post-fertilization. AP2-O3 disruption causes massive up-regulation of transcriptionally dormant male genes and simultaneously down-regulation of highly transcribed female genes in female gametocytes. ChIP-seq and EMSA analysis establish AP2-O3 as a transcription repressor that targets a significant proportion of the upregulated male genes by recognizing an eight-base DNA motif in the promoters. In addition, the maternal AP2-O3 is removed after fertilization, which is required for the zygote to ookinete development. These results demonstrate that global transcriptional repression of male genes in the female gametocytes is required for safeguarding female-specific transcriptome and essential for the mosquito transmission of Plasmodium.
2021-01-26 | GSE157454 | GEO
Project description:As a first step in the transmission of malaria, Plasmodium parasites ingested by a mosquito must rapidly initiate a gametogenesis process prior to sexual reproduction. The phosphorylation-based signalling mechanisms underlying the initiation of this process remain largely unmapped. We have measured a high-resolution time course of phosphorylation in P. berghei gametocytes during the first minute of gametogenesis to elucidate the scope and dynamics of the response. The data reveals rapid phosphoregulation of microtubule motor proteins and DNA replication initiation proteins within the first 18 s and of DNA replication machinery by 60 s. The data also implicate several protein kinases and phosphatases in the gametogenesis signalling pathway. Through gene knock-out experiments, we verify that the protein kinases CDPK4 and SRPK1 have distinct influences over the phosphorylation of similar downstream targets. Together, the results show that key cell-cycle systems related to both replication and mitosis undergo simultaneous, rapid phosphoregulation.
2017-11-29 | PXD006266 | Pride
Project description:The transmission of the malaria parasite between mosquitoes and mammals requires translational repression to ensure that only the proper proteins are expressed and correct folded at the right time, it will need for the next developmental stage.Due to their essential role for malaria transmission, gametocytes represent prime targets for transmission-blocking strategies intended to prevent spread of the deadly disease. In this study, we generate HspJ62 gene knockout line (ΔHspJ62) that is gametocyte non-producing lines. Transcriptional profiling of wild type Plasmodium berghei and genetic KO Hspj62 genes at single time points during erythrocytic parasite development.
2021-12-15 | GSE168974 | GEO
Project description:Malaria parasites must be able to respond quickly to their environment, including during their transmission between mammalian hosts and mosquito vectors. Therefore, before transmission, female gametocytes proactively produce and translationally repress mRNAs that encode essential proteins that the zygote requires to establish a new infection. This essential regulatory control requires the orthologues of DDX6 (DOZI) and LSM14 (CITH), which along with ALBA proteins, form a translationally repressive complex in female gametocytes that associates with many of the affected mRNAs. However, while the release of translational repression of individual mRNAs has been documented, the details of the global release of translational repression have not. Moreover, the changes in spatial arrangement and composition of the DOZI/CITH/ALBA complex that contribute to translational control are also not known. Therefore, we have conducted the first comparative transcriptomics and proteomics of Plasmodium parasites across the host-to-vector transmission event to document the global release of translational repression. Using female gametocytes and zygotes of P. yoelii, we find that over 200 transcripts are released for translation soon after fertilization, including those with essential functions for the zygote. However, we also observed that some transcripts remain repressed beyond this point. In addition, we have used TurboID-based proximity proteomics to interrogate the spatial and compositional changes in the DOZI/CITH/ALBA complex across this transmission event. Consistent with recent models of translational control, proteins that associate with either the 5’ or 3’ end of mRNAs are in close proximity to one another during translational repression in female gametocytes and then dissociate upon release of repression in zygotes. These protein interactions in female gametocytes were further validated through structured illumination microscopy and ultrastructure expansion microscopy. Together, these data provide a model for the essential translational control mechanisms used by malaria parasites to promote their efficient transmission.
2023-05-10 | GSE231838 | GEO