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PbGEST mediates malaria transmission to both mosquito and vertebrate host
Author(s) -
Talman Arthur M.,
Lacroix Céline,
Marques Sara R.,
Blagborough Andrew M.,
Carzaniga Raffaella,
Ménard Robert,
Sinden Robert E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07823.x
Subject(s) - biology , gametocyte , plasmodium (life cycle) , vertebrate , malaria , parasite hosting , plasmodium berghei , mammal , microbiology and biotechnology , anopheles , host (biology) , aedes aegypti , virology , zoology , immunology , genetics , plasmodium falciparum , ecology , gene , larva , world wide web , computer science
Summary The malaria life cycle relies on the successful transfer of the parasite between its human and mosquito hosts. We identified a Plasmodium berghei secreted protein (PBANKA_131270) that plays distinct roles in both the mammal‐to‐mosquito and the mosquito‐to‐mammal transitions. This protein, here named g amete e gress and s porozoite t raversal (GEST), plays an important role in the egress of male and female gametes from the vertebrate red blood cell. Interestingly, GEST is also required following the bite of the infected mosquito, for sporozoite progression through the skin. We found PbGEST to be secreted shortly after activation of the intraerythrocytic gametocyte, and during sporozoite migration. These findings indicate that a single malaria protein may have pleiotropic roles in different parasites stages mediating transmission between its insect and mammalian hosts.