Plasmodium’s journey through the Anopheles mosquito: A comprehensive review

• Published in: Biochimie 2021-02, Vol.181, p.176-190
• Main Authors: Singh, Meghna, Suryanshu, Kanika, Singh, Gurmeet, Dubey, Alok, Chaitanya, R.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Gametocytogenesis; Host seeking behavior of mosquito; Mosquito immunity; Mosquito sporozoite biology; Ookinete invasion of midgut; Plasmodium sexual stages; Transmission blocking vaccines
• ISSN: 0300-9084; 1638-6183
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.12.009

The malaria parasite has an extraordinary ability to evade the immune system due to which the development of a malaria vaccine is a challenging task. Extensive research on malarial infection in the human host particularly during the liver stage has resulted in the discovery of potential candidate vaccines including RTS,S/AS01 and R21. However, complete elimination of malaria would require a holistic multi-component approach. In line with this, under the World Health Organization’s PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), the research focus has shifted towards the sexual stages of malaria in the mosquito host. Last two decades of scientific research obtained seminal information regarding the sexual/mosquito stages of the malaria. This updated and comprehensive review would provide the basis for consolidated understanding of cellular, biochemical, molecular and immunological aspects of parasite transmission right from the sexual stage commitment in the human host to the sporozoite delivery back into subsequent vertebrate host by the female Anopheles mosquito. [Display omitted] •A comprehensive review of last two-decade research on mosquito stage of malaria transmission.•Sequence of events right from the sexual stage commitment of malarial parasite in the human host to the sporozoite delivery into subsequent vertebrate host by the female Anopheles mosquito.•Cellular, Biochemical, Molecular and Immunological aspects of mosquito-Plasmodium interactions.