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A Putative Plasmodium RNA-Binding Protein Plays a Critical Role in Female Gamete Fertility and Parasite Transmission to the Mosquito Vector
- Source :
- Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Vol 10 (2022)
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.
-
Abstract
- Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage gametocytes are critical for parasite transmission from the human host to the mosquito vector. Mature gametocytes generate fertile male (micro-) or female (macro-) gametes upon activation inside the mosquito midgut. While a number of parasite genes have been described that are critical for P. falciparum gametogenesis and fertility, no parasite gene has been shown to have a unique function in macrogametes. The genome of P. falciparum encodes numerous RNA-binding proteins. We identified a novel protein containing a putative RNA-binding domain, which we named Macrogamete-Contributed Factor Essential for Transmission (MaCFET). This protein is expressed in the asexual and sexual stages. Parasites that carry a deletion of MaCFET (Pfmacfet¯), developed normally as asexual stages, indicating that its function is not essential for the asexual proliferation of the parasite in vitro. Furthermore, Pfmacfet¯ male and female gametocytes developed normally and underwent activation to form microgametes and macrogametes. However, by utilizing genetic crosses, we demonstrate that Pfmacfet¯ parasites suffer a complete female-specific defect in successful fertilization. Therefore, PfMaCFET is a critical female-contributed factor for parasite transmission to the mosquito. Based on its putative RNA-binding properties, PfMaCFET might be in involved in the regulation of mRNAs that encode female-specific functions for fertilization or female-contributed factors needed post fertilization.
- Subjects :
- gametocyte
gamete
fertility
mosquito
transmission
Biology (General)
QH301-705.5
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2296634X
- Volume :
- 10
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.bdd72e2d55674300a0a860dcb50c8928
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.825247