A Plasmodium homolog of ER tubule-forming proteins is required for parasite virulence

Xiaoyu Shi, Lei Hai, Kavitha Govindasamy, Jian Gao, Isabelle Coppens, Junjie Hu, Qian Wang, Purnima Bhanot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reticulon and REEP family of proteins stabilize the high curvature of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules. Plasmodium berghei Yop1 (PbYop1) is a REEP5 homolog in Plasmodium. Here, we characterize its function using a gene-knockout (Pbyop1∆). Pbyop1∆ asexual stage parasites display abnormal ER architecture and an enlarged digestive vacuole. The erythrocytic cycle of Pbyop1∆ parasites is severely attenuated and the incidence of experimental cerebral malaria is significantly decreased in Pbyop1∆-infected mice. Pbyop1∆ sporozoites have reduced speed, are slower to invade host cells but give rise to equal numbers of infected HepG2 cells, as WT sporozoites. We propose that PbYOP1’s disruption may lead to defects in trafficking and secretion of a subset of proteins required for parasite development and invasion of erythrocytes. Furthermore, the maintenance of ER morphology in different parasite stages is likely to depend on different proteins.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)454-467
Number of pages14
JournalMolecular Microbiology
Volume114
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2020

Keywords

  • DP1
  • REEP
  • YOP1
  • endoplasmic reticulum
  • reticulon

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

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