Brancucci, N. M.B. , De Niz, M., Straub, T. J., Ravel, D., Sollelis, L., Birren, B. W., Voss, T. S., Neafsey, D. E. and Marti, M. (2018) Probing Plasmodium falciparum sexual commitment at the single-cell level. Wellcome Open Research, 3, 70. (doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14645.4) (PMID:30320226) (PMCID:PMC6143928)
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Abstract
Background: Malaria parasites go through major transitions during their complex life cycle, yet the underlying differentiation pathways remain obscure. Here we apply single cell transcriptomics to unravel the program inducing sexual differentiation in Plasmodium falciparum. Parasites have to make this essential life-cycle decision in preparation for human-to-mosquito transmission. Methods: By combining transcriptional profiling with quantitative imaging and genetics, we defined a transcriptional signature in sexually committed cells. Results: We found this transcriptional signature to be distinct from general changes in parasite metabolism that can be observed in response to commitment-inducing conditions. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study provides a template to capture transcriptional diversity in parasite populations containing complex mixtures of different life-cycle stages and developmental programs, with important implications for our understanding of parasite biology and the ongoing malaria elimination campaign.
| Item Type: | Articles |
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| Keywords: | Malaria, plasmodium falciparum, transmission, single cell, phenotyping, sexual differentiation, rnaseq |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Marti, Professor Matthias and Sollelis, Miss Lauriane and De Niz, Dr Mariana and Brancucci, Dr Nicolas |
| Creator Roles: | Brancucci, N. M.B.Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing De Niz, M.Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review and editing Sollelis, L.Formal analysis, Investigation Marti, M.Conceptualization, Investigation, Project administration, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing |
| Authors: | Brancucci, N. M.B., De Niz, M., Straub, T. J., Ravel, D., Sollelis, L., Birren, B. W., Voss, T. S., Neafsey, D. E., and Marti, M. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity |
| Journal Name: | Wellcome Open Research |
| Publisher: | F1000Research |
| ISSN: | 2398-502X |
| ISSN (Online): | 2398-502X |
| Published Online: | 13 June 2018 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2018 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Wellcome Open Research 3:70 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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