An assay to probe Plasmodium falciparum growth, transmission stage formation and early gametocyte development

Brancucci, N. M. B., Goldowitz, I., Buchholz, K., Werling, K. and Marti, M. (2015) An assay to probe Plasmodium falciparum growth, transmission stage formation and early gametocyte development. Nature Protocols, 10(8), pp. 1131-1142. (doi: 10.1038/nprot.2015.072) (PMID:26134953) (PMCID:PMC4581880)

Abstract

Conversion from asexual proliferation to sexual differentiation initiates the production of the gametocyte, which is the malaria parasite stage required for human-to-mosquito transmission. This protocol describes an assay designed to probe the effect of drugs or other perturbations on asexual replication, sexual conversion and early gametocyte development in the major human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Synchronized asexually replicating parasites are induced for gametocyte production by the addition of conditioned medium, and they are then exposed to the treatment of interest during sexual commitment or at any subsequent stage of early gametocyte development. Flow cytometry is used to measure asexual proliferation and gametocyte production via DNA dye staining and the gametocyte-specific expression of a fluorescent protein, respectively. This screening approach may be used to identify and evaluate potential transmission-blocking compounds and to further investigate the mechanism of sexual conversion in malaria parasites. The full protocol can be completed in 11 d.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Marti, Professor Matthias
• Authors: Brancucci, N. M. B., Goldowitz, I., Buchholz, K., Werling, K., and Marti, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Nature Protocols
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 1754-2189
• ISSN (Online): 1750-2799
• Published Online: 02 July 2015