A Central Role for P48/45 in Malaria Parasite Male Gamete Fertility
2001; Cell Press; Volume: 104; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00199-4
ISSN1097-4172
AutoresMelissa R. van Dijk, Chris J. Janse, Joanne Thompson, Andrew P. Waters, Joanna A. M. Braks, H. Dodemont, Henk G. Stunnenberg, Geert‐Jan van Gemert, Robert W. Sauerwein, W. Eling,
Tópico(s)Parasites and Host Interactions
ResumoFertilization and zygote development are obligate features of the malaria parasite life cycle and occur during parasite transmission to mosquitoes. The surface protein PFS48/45 is expressed by male and female gametes of Plasmodium falciparum and PFS48/45 antibodies prevent zygote development and transmission. Here, gene disruption was used to show that Pfs48/45 and the ortholog Pbs48/45 from a rodent malaria parasite P. berghei play a conserved and important role in fertilization. p48/45− parasites had a reduced capacity to produce oocysts in mosquitoes due to greatly reduced zygote formation. Unexpectedly, only male gamete fertility of p48/45− parasites was affected, failing to penetrate otherwise fertile female gametes. P48/45 is shown to be a surface protein of malaria parasites with a demonstrable role in fertilization.
Referência(s)