Transition of Plasmodium sporozoites into liver stage-like forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein Pumilio

Many eukaryotic developmental and cell fate decisions that are effected post-transcriptionally involve RNA binding proteins as regulators of translation of key mRNAs. In malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.), the development of round, non-motile and replicating exo-erythrocytic liver stage forms from...

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Veröffentlicht in:PLoS pathogens 2011-05, Vol.7 (5), p.e1002046-e1002046
Hauptverfasser: Gomes-Santos, Carina S S, Braks, Joanna, Prudêncio, Miguel, Carret, Céline, Gomes, Ana Rita, Pain, Arnab, Feltwell, Theresa, Khan, Shahid, Waters, Andrew, Janse, Chris, Mair, Gunnar R, Mota, Maria M
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Many eukaryotic developmental and cell fate decisions that are effected post-transcriptionally involve RNA binding proteins as regulators of translation of key mRNAs. In malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.), the development of round, non-motile and replicating exo-erythrocytic liver stage forms from slender, motile and cell-cycle arrested sporozoites is believed to depend on environmental changes experienced during the transmission of the parasite from the mosquito vector to the vertebrate host. Here we identify a Plasmodium member of the RNA binding protein family PUF as a key regulator of this transformation. In the absence of Pumilio-2 (Puf2) sporozoites initiate EEF development inside mosquito salivary glands independently of the normal transmission-associated environmental cues. Puf2- sporozoites exhibit genome-wide transcriptional changes that result in loss of gliding motility, cell traversal ability and reduction in infectivity, and, moreover, trigger metamorphosis typical of early Plasmodium intra-hepatic development. These data demonstrate that Puf2 is a key player in regulating sporozoite developmental control, and imply that transformation of salivary gland-resident sporozoites into liver stage-like parasites is regulated by a post-transcriptional mechanism.
ISSN:1553-7374
1553-7366
1553-7374
DOI:10.1371/journal.ppat.1002046