The Plasmodium falciparum male gametocyte protein P230p, a paralog of P230, is vital for ookinete formation and mosquito transmission

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 14902 - 13
• Main Authors: Marin-Mogollon, Catherin, van de Vegte-Bolmer, Marga, van Gemert, Geert-Jan, van Pul, Fiona J. A., Ramesar, Jai, Othman, Ahmad Syibli, Kroeze, Hans, Miao, Jun, Cui, Liwang, Williamson, Kim C., Sauerwein, Robert W., Janse, Chris J., Khan, Shahid M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 08.10.2018; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 14; 38; 38/22; 38/77; 42/109; 42/35; 42/41; 42/44; 45; 631/326/417/1716; 631/337; Antigens; CRISPR; Erythrocytes; Exflagellation; Exflagellation Centres; Gametes; Gametocytes; Humanities and Social Sciences; Malaria; Male Gametocytes; Mosquito Transmission; multidisciplinary; Oocysts; Ookinete Formation; Parasites; Plasmodium falciparum; Proteins; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Vaccines; Mosquito Transmission; Exflagellation Centres; Male Gametocytes; Ookinete Formation; Oocysts
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33236-x

Two members of 6-cysteine (6-cys) protein family, P48/45 and P230, are important for gamete fertility in rodent and human malaria parasites and are leading transmission blocking vaccine antigens. Rodent and human parasites encode a paralog of P230, called P230p. While P230 is expressed in male and female parasites, P230p is expressed only in male gametocytes and gametes. In rodent malaria parasites this protein is dispensable throughout the complete life-cycle; however, its function in P . falciparum is unknown. Using CRISPR/Cas9 methodology we disrupted the gene encoding Pfp230p resulting in P . falciparum mutants ( Pf Δ p230p ) lacking P230p expression. The Pf Δ p230p mutants produced normal numbers of male and female gametocytes, which retained expression of P48/45 and P230. Upon activation male PfΔp230p gametocytes undergo exflagellation and form male gametes. However, male gametes are unable to attach to red blood cells resulting in the absence of characteristic exflagellation centres in vitro . In the absence of P230p, zygote formation as well as oocyst and sporozoite development were strongly reduced (>98%) in mosquitoes. These observations demonstrate that P230p, like P230 and P48/45, has a vital role in P . falciparum male fertility and zygote formation and warrants further investigation as a potential transmission blocking vaccine candidate.