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

Gomes-Santos, C.S.S. et al. (2011) Transition of plasmodium sporozoites into liver stage-like forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein pumilio. PLoS Pathogens, 7(5), e1002046. (doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002046)

Abstract

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Waters, Professor Andy
• Authors: Gomes-Santos, C.S.S., Braks, J., Prudêncio, M., Carret, C., Gomes, A.R., Pain, A., Feltwell, T., Khan, S., Waters, A.P., Janse, C., Mair, G.R., and Mota, M.M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: PLoS Pathogens
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1553-7366
• ISSN (Online): 1553-7374
• Published Online: 01 January 2011
• Copyright Holders: © 2011 Gomes-Santos et al
• First Published: First published in PLoS Pathogens 2011 7(5): e1002046
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher