Real-time dynamics of Plasmodium Ndc80 reveals unusual modes of chromosome segregation during parasite proliferative stages

ABSTRACT: Eukaryotic cell proliferation requires chromosome replication and precise segregation to ensure daughter cells have identical genomic copies. The genus Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, has developed remarkable characteristic of nuclear division throughout its lifecycle to meet some peculiar and unique challenges of DNA replication and chromosome segregation. The parasite undergoes atypical endomitosis and endoreduplication with an intact nuclear membrane and intranuclear mitotic spindle. To understand diverse modes of cell division in Plasmodium we have studied the behaviour and composition of a key part of the mitotic apparatus, the outer kinetochore Ndc80 complex that attaches the centromere of chromosomes to the microtubules of the mitotic spindle. Using Ndc80 live-cell imaging in Plasmodium berghei we observe dynamic changes throughout proliferative life-stages including highly unusual kinetochore arrangements in sexual stages of the parasite. Furthermore, we identify a divergent Spc24 component of Ndc80 complex, previously thought to be missing, and completing a canonical, albeit unusual, Ndc80 complex structure. Altogether our studies reveal the kinetochore as an ideal starting point towards understanding non-canonical modes of chromosome segregation and cell division in Plasmodium.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Plasmodium Berghei Anka

TISSUE(S): Blood

SUBMITTER: Andrew Bottrill  

LAB HEAD: Dr. Rita Tewari

PROVIDER: PXD017619 | Pride | 2020-06-09

REPOSITORIES: Pride