Dissecting the role of PfAP2-G in malaria gametocytogenesis

Gabrielle A. Josling, Timothy J. Russell, Jarrett Venezia, Lindsey Orchard, Riëtte Biljon, Heather J. Painter and Manuel Llinás ()
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Gabrielle A. Josling: The Pennsylvania State University
Timothy J. Russell: The Pennsylvania State University
Jarrett Venezia: The Pennsylvania State University
Lindsey Orchard: The Pennsylvania State University
Riëtte Biljon: The Pennsylvania State University
Heather J. Painter: The Pennsylvania State University
Manuel Llinás: The Pennsylvania State University

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the switch from asexual multiplication to sexual differentiation into gametocytes is essential for transmission to mosquitos. The transcription factor PfAP2-G is a key determinant of sexual commitment that orchestrates this crucial cell fate decision. Here we identify the direct targets of PfAP2-G and demonstrate that it dynamically binds hundreds of sites across the genome. We find that PfAP2-G is a transcriptional activator of early gametocyte genes, and identify differences in PfAP2-G occupancy between gametocytes derived via next-cycle and same-cycle conversion. Our data implicate PfAP2-G not only as a transcriptional activator of gametocyte genes, but also as a potential regulator of genes important for red blood cell invasion. We also find that regulation by PfAP2-G requires interaction with a second transcription factor, PfAP2-I. These results clarify the functional role of PfAP2-G during sexual commitment and early gametocytogenesis.

Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-15026-0

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15026-0

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