Last Updated: 19/06/2024
Functional analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase
Objectives
This study aims to determine the molecular details of how PfPKG interacts with these and other cellular components to orchestrate the events leading to the release of merozoites and gametes from erythrocytes.
Specific goals include:
- identification of the proteins phosphoryl ated by PfPKG during merozoite and gamete egress; and
- determining whether PfPKG regulates release of proteins from parasite apical organelles during egress/invasion.
Achievement of these goals will significantly advance knowledge of malaria parasite biology.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), United States
The researchers previous work demonstrated an essential role for PfPKG in the regulation of merozoite egress from erythrocytes and also triggering gametogenesis. The next important step will be to elucidate the downstream players activated by PfPKG to bring about these events. This will lead to an understanding of the precise nature of the cellular processes that are controlled by cGMP signalling in the malaria parasite. Towards this goal, they have shown that PfSUB1 function and the resulting protease cascad e required for merozoite egress is one of the major events regulated by PfPKG. Furthermore, recent data show that a calcium signal mediated by CDPK5, which works downstream of or in parallel with PfPKG, is also required for egress.
May 2012 — Apr 2015
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