Article
Microbiology
Sushma Ambekar, Josh R. Beck, Gunnar R. Mair
Summary: The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a platform for studying the evolution of early-branching eukaryotes, but the Plasmodium NPC is poorly defined due to its evolutionary divergence. In this study, a labeling methodology based on TurboID fusion proteins was developed to visualize and identify the components of the Plasmodium NPC. Through affinity purification and mass spectrometry, several known nucleoporins (Nups) and previously unannotated proteins were identified as components of the NPC. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the function and evolutionary position of the Plasmodium NPC.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gabriel J. Foster, Mackenzie A. C. Sievert, Katrina Button-Simons, Katelyn M. Vendrely, Jeanne Romero-Severson, Michael T. Ferdig
Summary: The use of cyclical regression covariates (CRC) can effectively eliminate the confounding effect of developmentally driven transcriptional changes in clinical samples, leading to reduced errors in transcriptome analysis. This method has immediate application in parasite transcriptome sequencing directly from clinical blood samples and in cost-constrained in vitro experiments.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alessio Fragasso, Hendrik W. de Vries, John Andersson, Eli O. van der Sluis, Erik van der Giessen, Andreas Dahlin, Patrick R. Onck, Cees Dekker
Summary: This study successfully reconstituted the selective behavior of the NPC by introducing an artificial FG-Nup that mimics natural Nups, demonstrating that specific spacer sequences or spatial segregation of different FG-motif types are not needed to create selective NPCs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca L. Clements, Alexander A. Morano, Francesca M. Navarro, James P. McGee, Esrah W. Du, Vincent A. Streva, Scott E. Lindner, Jeffrey D. Dvorin
Summary: This study identifies a basal complex protein, PfBLEB, as a key player in gametocytogenesis. Parasites lacking PfBLEB are unable to form mature gametocytes, highlighting the importance of PfBLEB. The study also provides a potential molecular target for the eradication of malaria transmission.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maya Capelson
Summary: Nuclear pore complexes are large protein complexes embedded in the nuclear envelope that mediate nucleocytoplasmic transport and interact with chromatin to influence genome function. This review focuses on the gene regulatory functions of intranuclear nuclear pore proteins, highlighting their identity as components of chromatin regulatory complexes. Recent proteomic studies have identified interactions between nuclear pore proteins and epigenetic machinery, architectural proteins, and DNA replication complexes, shedding light on their roles in gene expression regulation within the nucleus.
Article
Biology
Gemma Moncunill, Jason Carnes, William Chad Young, Lindsay Carpp, Stephen De Rosa, Joseph J. Campo, Augusto Nhabomba, Maxmillian Mpina, Chenjerai Jairoce, Greg Finak, Paige Haas, Carl Muriel, Phu Van, Hector Sanz, Sheetij Dutta, Benjamin Mordmuller, Selidji T. Agnandji, Nuria Diez-Padrisa, Nana Aba Williams, John J. Aponte, Clarissa Valim, Daniel E. Neafsey, Claudia Daubenberger, M. Juliana McElrath, Carlota Dobano, Ken Stuart, Raphael Gottardo
Summary: In a malaria vaccine trial in African infants and children, the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine showed moderate efficacy. The vaccination led to changes in immune responses and specific gene expression in the blood cells. Understanding these changes can provide insights into the mechanism of vaccine protection.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Melissa D. Conrad, Victor Asua, Shreeya Garg, David Giesbrecht, Karamoko Niare, Sawyer Smith, Jane F. Namuganga, Thomas Katairo, Jennifer Legac, Rebecca M. Crudale, Patrick K. Tumwebaze, Samuel L. Nsobya, Roland A. Cooper, Moses R. Kamya, Grant Dorsey, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Philip J. Rosenthal
Summary: This study identified multifocal emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum with partial resistance to artemisinins in Uganda. The emergence and spread of resistance were predominantly observed in areas where effective malaria control had been discontinued or transmission was unstable.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brendan Fries, Carlos A. Guerra, Guillermo A. Garcia, Sean L. Wu, Jordan M. Smith, Jeremias Nzamio Mba Oyono, Olivier T. Donfack, Jose Osa Osa Nfumu, Simon Hay, David L. Smith, Andrew J. Dolgert
Summary: Different population layers performed differently in matching the gold standard distribution at different population densities. Choosing the appropriate population map has a significant impact on burden estimates in a malaria model.
Article
Microbiology
Lucas Michel-Todo, Cristina Bancells, Nuria Casas-Vila, Nuria Rovira-Graells, Carles Hernandez-Ferrer, Juan R. Gonzalez, Alfred Cortes
Summary: The study reveals the association between the transcriptional state of malaria parasite CVGs and the distribution of heterochromatin. It demonstrates that changes in heterochromatin can explain the expression switches of CVGs. Additionally, the research finds a relationship between heterochromatin levels and the transmission of the parasite to mosquitoes. This study is of great importance for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of malaria parasite adaptation to the host environment and the regulation of parasite gene expression.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Irene Molina-de la Fuente, Maria Jose Sagrado Benito, Laurence Flevaud, Janet Ousley, Harriet Akello Pasquale, Ahmed Julla, Abdirashid M. Abdi, Buai Tut Chol, Bakri Abubakr, Agustin Benito, Cristian Casademont, Carolina Nanclares, Pedro Berzosa
Summary: Deletions of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes pose a threat to the global use of Plasmodium falciparum malaria rapid diagnostic tests. In South Sudan, the frequencies of pf-hrp2 deletion, pfhrp3 deletion, and double deletions were 15.6%, 20.0%, and 7.5% respectively. Deletions were approximately twice as prevalent in monoclonal infections compared to polyclonal infections.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Abel Cruz Camacho, Edo Kiper, Sonia Oren, Nir Zaharoni, Netta Nir, Noam Soffer, Yael Noy, Bar Ben David, Anna Rivkin, Ron Rotkopf, Dan Michael, Teresa G. Carvalho, Neta Regev-Rudzki
Summary: A high-throughput RT-qPCR platform was developed to investigate gene expression changes of Plasmodium falciparum during its lifecycle in the human host. The study found that the antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin and choline significantly altered gene expression patterns and developmental rate of the parasites. In addition, lactate and kynurenic acid were identified as potential regulators of sexual differentiation in malaria parasites. This research expands our understanding of gene expression changes during sexual differentiation.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Emily M. Stucke, Antoine Dara, Ankit Dwivedi, Theresa K. Hodges, Sandra Ott, Drissa Coulibaly, Abdoulaye K. Kone, Karim Traore, Boureima Guindo, Bourama M. Tangara, Amadou Niangaly, Modibo Daou, Issa Diarra, Youssouf Tolo, Mody Sissoko, Luke J. Tallon, Lisa Sadzewicz, Albert E. Zhou, Matthew B. Laurens, Amed Ouattara, Bourema Kouriba, Ogobara K. Doumbo, Shannon Takala-Harrison, David Serre, Christopher Plowe, Mahamadou A. Thera, Mark A. Travassos, Joana C. Silva
Summary: Genes encoding the highly diverse Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1 (PfEMP1) antigens play a critical role in immune evasion and infected erythrocyte sequestration. Enriching for parasite RNA in clinical samples using a custom capture array allowed for the identification and annotation of var-like transcripts, particularly in samples with low parasitemia. This method has broad applicability to other highly diverse antigens from different parasites and pathogens.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Theresa Reiker, Monica Golumbeanu, Andrew Shattock, Lydia Burgert, Thomas A. Smith, Sarah Filippi, Ewan Cameron, Melissa A. Penny
Summary: Individual-based models are essential in the global fight against infectious diseases, but the complexity of the models can pose challenges for calibration. The authors propose using a Bayesian optimization framework to calibrate a complex malaria transmission simulator, resulting in improved fitting outcomes compared to previous calibrations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Erik K. Johnson, Daniel B. Larremore
Summary: This paper addresses the estimation problem of quantifying overlap between two communities when only partial samples are available. It also proposes a Bayesian joint model of community size and overlap to refine estimates using species/item/gene count data.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catarina Rosa, Parul Singh, Patty Chen, Ameya Sinha, Aurelie Claes, Peter R. Preiser, Peter C. Dedon, Sebastian Baumgarten, Artur Scherf, Jessica M. Bryant
Summary: The complex life cycle of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is driven by specific transcriptional programs, but the mechanisms behind gene activation or silencing at specific times are unclear. In this study, researchers investigated the role of the cohesin subunit SMC3 in P. falciparum. They found that knockdown of SMC3 during the early stages of the parasite's life cycle resulted in the upregulation of certain genes involved in erythrocyte egress and invasion, which are normally expressed at later stages. ChIP-seq analyses revealed that SMC3 binding at the promoter regions of these genes correlated with gene repression and chromatin accessibility during the parasite life cycle.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Duc Hoang Lande, Abed Nasereddin, Arne Alder, Tim W. Gilberger, Ron Dzikowski, Johann Gruenefeld, Conrad Kunick
Summary: Malaria is a dangerous infectious disease for which novel antiplasmodial agents are needed due to parasite resistance. N-unsubstituted bisindolylcyclobutenediones were designed as potential drugs and showed promising antiplasmodial activity through molecular docking and synthesis.
Article
Microbiology
Sabrina Yahiya, Sarah Jordan, Holly X. Smith, David C. A. Gaboriau, Mufuliat T. Famodimu, Farah A. Dahalan, Alisje Churchyard, George W. Ashdown, Jake Baum
Summary: Formation of gametes in the malaria parasite occurs in the midgut of the mosquito and is critical to parasite transmission. A new live-cell fluorescence imaging workflow has been developed to capture the entire process of microgametogenesis, showing the rapid and complex cellular transformation involved.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Odelia Tepper, Itamar Peled, Yair Fastman, Adina Heinberg, Vera Mitesser, Ron Dzikowski, Eylon Yavin
Summary: In this study, FIT-PNAs were used as molecular probes to detect SNPs associated with artemisinin and chloroquine drug resistances in Plasmodium falciparum. The results showed that FIT-PNAs could effectively discriminate between wild-type and mutant strains of the parasite. FIT-PNAs were able to penetrate infected red blood cells and the difference in fluorescence signals could be detected using FACS analysis and confocal microscopy.
Article
Biology
Amer Al-Jawabreh, Suheir Ereqat, Kamal Dumaidi, Hanan Al-Jawabreh, Abedelmajeed Nasereddin
Summary: A pilot study in Palestine in fall 2020 on the genetic variation and molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 revealed a unique spike mutation and three distinct clusters in the genome sequences, with the first cluster comprising the majority of sequences. The study also confirmed high genetic diversity among Palestinian SARS-CoV-2, including a mutation reported for the first time.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2021)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Leena Asfour, Daniel Smyth, Cynthia B. Whitchurch, Rosalia Cavaliere, J. Thomas Roland
Summary: Microbial analysis of explanted devices can aid in further understanding treatment approaches to infected CIs.
ACTA OTO-LARYNGOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Suheir Ereqat, Stephane Cauchi, Khaled Eweidat, Muawiyah Elqadi, Manal Ghatass, Anas Sabarneh, Abedelmajeed Nasereddin
Summary: This study investigated the effects of APOE genetic variants and promoter methylation on the risk of diabetic dyslipidemia. Six CpG sites in the APOE promoter region were found to be associated with an increased risk of dyslipidemia in diabetes patients.
BIOMEDICAL REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abedelmajeed Nasereddin, Amer Al-Jawabreh, Kamal Dumaidi, Ahmed Al-Jawabreh, Hanan Al-Jawabreh, Suheir Ereqat
Summary: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues globally, several new SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged in Palestine. This study analyzed 183 whole genome sequences, revealing a dramatic shift from the wild type to the Alpha variant within a short period of time. Cluster mapping showed statistically significant clusters in two main Palestinian cities. Despite minimal genetic variation, the Alpha variant caused a major surge in COVID-19 cases.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
James J. Lazenby, Erica S. Li, Cynthia B. Whitchurch
Summary: This article reviews the historical research on cell wall deficient (CWD) bacteria, including their generation methods, survival requirements, replicative processes, and the reversion to a walled state. It presents evidence that CWD variants are not all the same and can arise through adaptive lifestyle switches for survival and avoiding antimicrobial activity. The implications of CWD bacteria in recurring infections, antibiotic therapy tolerance, and antimicrobial resistance highlight the importance of understanding CWD bacteria in human health and disease.
Article
Parasitology
Abedelmajeed Nasereddin, Suheir Ereqat, Amer Al-Jawabreh, Mohamad Taradeh, Ibrahim Abbasi, Hanan Al-Jawabreh, Samer Sawalha, Ziad Abdeen
Summary: This study developed an Amp-NGS method for simultaneous identification of sand flies and Leishmania parasites. The method proved to be highly specific and sensitive, allowing accurate identification of sand fly species and detection of Leishmania DNA in wild-caught sand flies. This new tool provides a valuable resource for studying sand flies and Leishmania parasites in endemic areas.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Abdelmajeed Nasereddin, Hadar Golan Berman, Dana G. Wolf, Esther Oiknine-Djian, Sheera Adar
Summary: This study presents a method called VOC-NGS for genotyping SARS-CoV-2, which offers a balance of accuracy, rapidity, and cost effectiveness in detecting and tracking VOCs and some VOI globally. It allows testing of a large number of clinical samples simultaneously. Efficient detection and identification of strains with rapid introduction of new mutations in the spike protein site are essential for treatment selection, vaccination strategies, and public health planning.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samer Sawalha, Amer Al-Jawabreh, Dea Hjaija, Suheir Ereqat, Abdelmajeed Nasereddin, Hanan Al-Jawabreh, Iro Evlampidou
Summary: In Palestine, spraying insecticide inside hyrax dens can reduce the density of sand flies and Leishmania infection, which may be an effective measure for controlling zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL).
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Sabrina Yahiya, Charlie N. Saunders, Sarah Hassan, Ursula Straschil, Oliver J. Fischer, Ainoa Rueda-Zubiaurre, Silvia Haase, Gema Vizcay-Barrena, Mufuliat Toyin Famodimu, Sarah Jordan, Michael J. Delves, Edward W. Tate, Anna Barnard, Matthew J. Fuchter, Jake Baum
Summary: An imaging-based screen discovered DDD01035881, a compound that blocks male gamete formation in the malaria parasite life cycle and transmission to mosquitoes; further experiments identified Pfs16 as a potential target of DDD01035881; this finding suggests that N-4HCS compounds could be used to develop transmission-blocking antimalarials.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Abhinay Ramaprasad, Paul-Christian Burda, Enrica Calvani, Aaron J. Sait, Susana Alejandra Palma-Duran, Chrislaine Withers-Martinez, Fiona Hackett, James Macrae, Lucy Collinson, Tim Wolf Gilberger, Michael J. Blackman
Summary: The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum synthesizes phospholipids to replicate within red blood cells, and the choline required for phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis primarily comes from host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC). However, the enzyme(s) responsible for breaking down lysoPC for free choline synthesis are unknown. This study identifies a parasite glycerophosphodiesterase (PfGDPD) that is essential for parasite proliferation and plays a critical role in PC biosynthesis and parasite survival.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lei Xia, Anastasia Komissarova, Arielle Jacover, Yehuda Shovman, Sebastian Arcila-Barrera, Sharona Tornovsky-Babeay, Milsee Mol Jaya Prakashan, Abdelmajeed Nasereddin, Inbar Plaschkes, Yuval Nevo, Idit Shiff, Oshri Yosefov-Levi, Tamara Izhiman, Eleonora Medvedev, Elad Eilon, Asaf Wilensky, Simon Yona, Oren Parnas
Summary: The study presents the application of HMPCITE-seq to identify gene combinations that improve innate immune cell function. Through CRISPR screening and high-order Perturb-Seq experiments, targeting Cebpb and Med12 is found to be more effective.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Suheir Ereqat, Mohammad Abdelhafez, Salam Iriqat, Qusai Ghaleb, Amjaad Abu Shams, Omar Abd Aldayem, Manal Ghattas, Abdelmajeed Nasereddin
Summary: The study found that the duration of diabetes and dyslipidemia were strong indicators for the progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), but the aldose reductase (ALR2) (C106T) polymorphism was not associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
HEALTH SCIENCE REPORTS
(2023)