Single-cell RNA-seq reveals hidden transcriptional variation in malaria parasites

Reid, A. J., Talman, A. M., Bennett, H. M., Gomes, A. R., Sanders, M. J., Illingworth, C. J. R. , Billker, O., Berriman, M. and Lawniczak, M. K.N. (2018) Single-cell RNA-seq reveals hidden transcriptional variation in malaria parasites. eLife, 7, e33105. (doi: 10.7554/eLife.33105) (PMID:29580379) (PMCID:PMC5871331)

Abstract

Single-cell RNA-sequencing is revolutionising our understanding of seemingly homogeneous cell populations but has not yet been widely applied to single-celled organisms. Transcriptional variation in unicellular malaria parasites from the Plasmodium genus is associated with critical phenotypes including red blood cell invasion and immune evasion, yet transcriptional variation at an individual parasite level has not been examined in depth. Here, we describe the adaptation of a single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) protocol to deconvolute transcriptional variation for more than 500 individual parasites of both rodent and human malaria comprising asexual and sexual life-cycle stages. We uncover previously hidden discrete transcriptional signatures during the pathogenic part of the life cycle, suggesting that expression over development is not as continuous as commonly thought. In transmission stages, we find novel, sex-specific roles for differential expression of contingency gene families that are usually associated with immune evasion and pathogenesis.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The Wellcome Sanger Institute is funded by Wellcome (grant WT098051). CJRI was supported by a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, jointly funded by Wellcome and the Royal Society (grant 101239/Z/13/Z). MKNL is supported by an MRC Career Development Award (G1100339).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Illingworth, Dr Chris

Creator Roles

Illingworth, C. J.R.: Formal analysis

• Authors: Reid, A. J., Talman, A. M., Bennett, H. M., Gomes, A. R., Sanders, M. J., Illingworth, C. J. R., Billker, O., Berriman, M., and Lawniczak, M. K.N.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: eLife
• Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications
• ISSN: 2050-084X
• ISSN (Online): 2050-084X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Reid et al.
• First Published: First published in eLife 7: 33105
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License