Proteomic analysis of the Plasmodium male gamete reveals a key role for glycolysis in flagellar motility

ABSTRACT: Gametogenesis and fertilization play crucial roles in malaria transmission. While male gametes are thought to be amongst the simplest eukaryotic cells and are proven targets of transmission blocking immunity, little is known about their molecular organization. For example, the pathways of energy metabolism that power motility, a feature that facilitates gamete encounter and fertilization, is unknown. To gain more insight into male gamete, we performed the first proteomic analysis of purified Plasmodium berghei microgametes. We recovered 615 proteins, which include all male gamete proteins described thus far. Amongst the most abundant proteins were the 11 enzymes of the glycolytic pathway. We localized the hexose transporter to the gamete plasma membrane and show that microgamete motility can be suppressed effectively by inhibitors of this transporter, and of the glycolytic pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that glycolysis is the exclusive source of energy for microgamete motility. Considering that this proteome provides a unique platform for the understanding of the original features of the male gamete, we discuss not only the mitochondria-independent energy metabolism but also flagellar structure and intra-flagellar transport-independent assembly, another divergent feature of these cells.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Plasmodium Sp. Pbt9

TISSUE(S): Blood Cell, Blood Plasma

DISEASE(S): Malaria

SUBMITTER: Ceereena Ubaida Mohien  

LAB HEAD: Arthur M. Talman

PROVIDER: PXD001163 | Pride | 2014-08-18

REPOSITORIES: Pride