A mitogen-activated protein kinase regulates male gametogenesis and transmission of the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Differentiation of malaria parasites into sexual forms (gametocytes) in the vertebrate host and their subsequent development into gametes in the mosquito vector are crucial steps in the completion of the parasite's life cycle and transmission of the disease. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the sexual cycle are poorly understood. Although several signal transduction pathways have been implicated, a clear understanding of the pathways involved has yet to emerge. Here, we show that a Plasmodium berghei homologue of Plasmodium falciparum mitogen-activated kinase-2 (Pfmap-2), a gametocyte-specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), is required for male gamete formation. Parasites lacking Pbmap-2 are competent for gametocytogenesis, but exflagellation of male gametocytes, the process that leads to male gamete formation, is almost entirely abolished in mutant parasites. Consistent with this result, transmission of mutant parasites to mosquitoes is grossly impaired. This finding identifies a crucial role for a MAPK pathway in malaria transmission.

publication date

  • May 1, 2005

Research

keywords

  • Gametogenesis
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Plasmodium berghei

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC1299310

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 20044392299

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/sj.embor.7400404

PubMed ID

  • 15864297

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 6

issue

  • 5