A Putative Plasmodium RNA-Binding Protein Plays a Critical Role in Female Gamete Fertility and Parasite Transmission to the Mosquito Vector

• Published in: Frontiers in cell and developmental biology 2022-04, Vol.10, p.825247
• Main Authors: Kumar, Sudhir, Abatiyow, Biley A, Haile, Meseret T, Oualim, Kenza M Z, Leeb, Amanda S, Vaughan, Ashley M, Kappe, Stefan H I
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell and Developmental Biology; fertility; gamete; gametocyte; mosquito; transmission
• ISSN: 2296-634X; 2296-634X
• DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.825247

sexual stage gametocytes are critical for parasite transmission from the human host to the mosquito vector. Mature gametocytes generate fertile male (micro-) or female (macro-) gametes upon activation inside the mosquito midgut. While a number of parasite genes have been described that are critical for gametogenesis and fertility, no parasite gene has been shown to have a unique function in macrogametes. The genome of encodes numerous RNA-binding proteins. We identified a novel protein containing a putative RNA-binding domain, which we named Macrogamete-Contributed Factor Essential for Transmission (MaCFET). This protein is expressed in the asexual and sexual stages. Parasites that carry a deletion of ( ), developed normally as asexual stages, indicating that its function is not essential for the asexual proliferation of the parasite . Furthermore, male and female gametocytes developed normally and underwent activation to form microgametes and macrogametes. However, by utilizing genetic crosses, we demonstrate that parasites suffer a complete female-specific defect in successful fertilization. Therefore, MaCFET is a critical female-contributed factor for parasite transmission to the mosquito. Based on its putative RNA-binding properties, MaCFET might be in involved in the regulation of mRNAs that encode female-specific functions for fertilization or female-contributed factors needed post fertilization.