Release of Plasmodium sporozoites requires proteins with histone-fold dimerization domains

Chiara Currà, Renate Gessmann, Tomasino Pace, Leonardo Picci, Giulia Peruzzi, Vassiliki Varamogianni-Mamatsi, Lefteris Spanos, Célia R. S. Garcia, Roberta Spaccapelo, Marta Ponzi and Inga Siden-Kiamos ()
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Chiara Currà: Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Renate Gessmann: Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Tomasino Pace: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate
Leonardo Picci: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate
Giulia Peruzzi: University of Perugia
Vassiliki Varamogianni-Mamatsi: Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Lefteris Spanos: Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Célia R. S. Garcia: Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo
Roberta Spaccapelo: University of Perugia
Marta Ponzi: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate
Inga Siden-Kiamos: Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The sporozoite, the stage of the malaria parasite transmitted by the mosquito, first develops for ∼2 weeks in an oocyst. Rupture of the oocyst capsule is required for release of sporozoites, which then transfer to the salivary gland where they are injected into a new host. Here we identify two parasite proteins that we call oocyst rupture proteins 1 (ORP1) and ORP2. These proteins have a histone-fold domain (HFD) that promotes heterodimer formation in the oocyst capsule at the time of rupture. Oocyst rupture is prevented in mutants lacking either protein. Mutational analysis confirms the HFD as essential for ORP1 and ORP2 function, and heterodimer formation was verified in vitro. These two proteins are potential targets for blocking transmission of the parasite in the mosquito.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13846

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