Review
Immunology
Manoswini Dash, Sherry Sachdeva, Abhisheka Bansal, Abhinav Sinha
Summary: This article focuses on gametogenesis as a key aspect of transmission control in malaria. It provides an in-depth understanding of the biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved in gametogenesis, and highlights the remaining gaps in knowledge in this field.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Borja Hanhsen, Afia Farrukh, Gabriele Pradel, Che Julius Ngwa
Summary: This study characterized the CCCH zinc finger protein ZNF4 in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and found that it plays a crucial role in male gametocyte exflagellation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nanang Rudianto Ariefta, Baldorj Pagmadulam, Coh-ichi Nihei, Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Summary: This study evaluated the growth-inhibitory effects of the antimalarial agent sparsomycin against drug-resistant malaria parasites. The results showed that sparsomycin had inhibitory effects on both sensitive and resistant strains of the parasites. This study suggests that sparsomycin has potential as an alternative treatment for malaria.
Article
Microbiology
Sudhir Kumar, Olivia R. Gargaro, Stefan H. Kappe
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of PfCRK5 in male gametogenesis and parasite transmission to the mosquito. PfCRK5 is identified as a potential target for the development of drugs to block malaria transmission.
Article
Microbiology
Kelly T. Rios, Taylor M. Dickson, Scott E. Lindner
Summary: In this study, we have identified a significant problem in the conduct of many studies on the sexual stages of rodent malaria parasites. The routine method of isolating gametocytes in rodent-infectious malaria models through drug treatment with sulfadiazine not only kills asexual blood-stage parasites but also has a substantial impact on host-to-vector transmission.
Article
Cell Biology
Fei Liu, Fan Yang, Yaru Wang, Minsheng Hong, Wenqi Zheng, Hui Min, Danni Li, Ying Jin, Takafumi Tsuboi, Liwang Cui, Yaming Cao
Summary: Pb22 is a conserved protein in Plasmodium species that is essential for male gametogenesis and transmission of the malaria parasite. Knockout of Pb22 results in a significant reduction in male gamete formation and transmission efficiency, while leaving female gametes unaffected. Further studies on Pb22 in human malaria parasites are needed.
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sudhir Kumar, Meseret T. Haile, Michael R. Hoopmann, Linh T. Tran, Samantha A. Michaels, Seamus R. Morrone, Kayode K. Ojo, Laura M. Reynolds, Ulrike Kusebauch, Ashley M. Vaughan, Robert L. Moritz, Stefan H. I. Kappe, Kristian E. Swearingen
Summary: The CDPK4 kinase in malaria parasites plays a crucial role in regulating male gametogenesis and essential events such as DNA replication, mRNA translation, and cell motility. Targeting CDPK4 and its substrates may provide insights into effective malaria transmission-blocking strategies.
Article
Microbiology
Nanang R. Ariefta, Baldorj Pagmadulam, Masaki Hatano, Noriko Ikeda, Kunio Isshiki, Kazuaki Matoba, Masayuki Igarashi, Coh-ichi Nihei, Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Summary: The increasing burden and spread of resistant malaria parasites have driven the demand for a new therapeutic agent. Phebestin showed nanomolar efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 and inhibited parasite multiplication in vitro. It exhibited no cytotoxicity against human cells and inhibited parasite stages at high concentrations. In vivo evaluation in mice infected with different malaria strains also showed promising results.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Giulia Siciliano, Veronica Di Paolo, Dante Rotili, Rossella Migale, Francesca Pedini, Marialuisa Casella, Serena Camerini, Daniele Dalzoppo, Rob Henderson, Tonnie Huijs, Koen J. Dechering, Antonello Mai, Anna Maria Caccuri, Marco Lalle, Luigi Quintieri, Pietro Alano
Summary: This work investigates the activity of NBDHEX and its carboxylic acid metabolite on the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. NBDHEX shows strong activity against all blood stages of the parasite, with a higher potency against the gametocytes. Covalent modifications of gametocyte proteins are found to be associated with the antiparasitic effect of NBDHEX. Both NBDHEX and its metabolite have limited cytotoxicity in vitro, making them potential starting points for the development of new drugs to block malaria transmission.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Carlos Henrique Saraiva Garcia, Delphine Depoix, Paulo Costa Carvalho, Izabela Marques Dourado Bastos, Carlos Andre Ornelas Ricart, Marcelo Valle de Sousa, David J. P. Ferguson, Jaime Martins Santana, Philippe Grellier, Sebastien Charneau
Summary: Male gametogenesis, particularly the assembly of intracytoplasmic axonemes, is essential for malaria transmission. Disruption of Pbkin8B gene leads to dysregulation of motor proteins and affects energy metabolism, stress responses, protein synthesis, chromatin organization, and DNA processes. Furthermore, the mutants show impaired axoneme assembly and reduced fertilization, highlighting the importance of PbKIN8B in male gametogenesis.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rebecca Webster, Hayley Mitchell, Jenny M. Peters, Juanita Heunis, Brighid O'Neill, Jeremy Gower, Sean Lynch, Helen Jennings, Fiona H. Amante, Stacey Llewellyn, Louise Marquart, Adam J. Potter, Geoffrey W. Birrell, Michael D. Edstein, G. Dennis Shanks, James S. McCarthy, Bridget E. Barber
Summary: A single low dose of tafenoquine can effectively reduce the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum parasites to mosquitoes, although there is a delay in its effect.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Peng-peng Wang, Xuefeng Jiang, Jie Bai, Fan Yang, Xinxin Yu, Yudi Wu, Wenqi Zheng, Yongzhe Zhang, Liwang Cui, Fei Liu, Xiaotong Zhu, Yaming Cao
Summary: This study identified PSOP26 as a surface protein expressed in Plasmodium gametes and ookinetes, and found that it plays a critical role in the zygote-to-ookinete developmental transition. PSOP25 is a promising candidate for TBVs targeting the ookinete stage.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sudhir Kumar, Vinay K. Baranwal, Amanda S. Leeb, Meseret T. Haile, Kenza M. Z. Oualim, Nina Hertoghs, Ashley M. Vaughan, Stefan H. Kappe
Summary: This study demonstrates the essential role of PfSRPK1 in the cell morphogenesis, replication, and transmission of the malaria parasite. By regulating transcript splicing, transcript abundance, and multiple key genes, PfSRPK1 plays a critical role in parasite replication and transmission. Targeting PfSRPK1 and its downstream pathways may be a promising strategy to reduce parasite replication and achieve effective malaria transmission blocking.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Umit Y. Kina, Mohd Kamil, Gozde Deveci, Ab. Matteen Rafiqi, Kai Matuschewski, Ahmed S. I. Aly
Summary: A frequent side effect of chemotherapy against malaria parasite blood infections is the induction of sexual blood stages, increasing the risk of future malaria transmissions. The polyamine biosynthesis pathway has been suggested as a target for anti-malarial drug development. This study focuses on the role of a bacterial-type amino acid decarboxylase (AAD) in the life cycle of the malaria model parasite Plasmodium yoelii. By targeting gene deletion, it was found that AAD is essential for the development of male gametes and transmission to mosquitoes.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jessica Poole, Lauren E. Hartley-Tassell, Christopher J. Day, Danielle Stanisic, Penny L. Groves, Sumana Chakravarty, B. Kim Lee Sim, Stephen L. Hoffman, Joe Tiralongo, Nicolai Bovin, Denise L. Doolan, Michael P. Jennings
Summary: The transmission of Plasmodium spp. sporozoites to the mammalian host is crucial for the development of malaria, yet the exact route of transmission and the host glycan structures involved are not fully understood. By analyzing the glycan structures recognized and bound by sporozoites from P. falciparum and P. yoelii, this study identified key host glycan structures for human and rodent Plasmodium spp. sporozoites. Understanding how these sporozoites interact with specific glycan structures could offer insight into the infectious disease and aid in the development of effective therapeutics.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Linda Reiling, Michelle J. Boyle, Michael T. White, Danny W. Wilson, Gaoqian Feng, Rupert Weaver, D. Herbert Opi, Kristina E. M. Persson, Jack S. Richards, Peter M. Siba, Freya J. I. Fowkes, Eizo Takashima, Takafumi Tsuboi, Ivo Mueller, James G. Beeson
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Tatsuhiro Tohmoto, Eizo Takashima, Satoru Takeo, Masayuki Morita, Hikaru Nagaoka, Rachanee Udomsangpetch, Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Tomoko Ishino, Motomi Torii, Takafumi Tsuboi
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hikaru Nagaoka, Chisa Sasaoka, Takaaki Yuguchi, Bernard N. Kanoi, Daisuke Ito, Masayuki Morita, Rachanee Udomsangpetch, Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Tomoko Ishino, Takafumi Tsuboi, Eizo Takashima
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Yenni Yusuf, Tatsuya Yoshii, Mitsuhiro Iyori, Kunitaka Yoshida, Hiroaki Mizukami, Shinya Fukumoto, Daisuke S. Yamamoto, Asrar Alam, Talha Bin Emran, Fitri Amelia, Ashekul Islam, Hiromu Otsuka, Eizo Takashima, Takafumi Tsuboi, Shigeto Yoshida
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Immunology
Kazutoyo Miura, Mayumi Tachibana, Eizo Takashima, Masayuki Morita, Bernard N. Kanoi, Hikaru Nagaoka, Minami Baba, Motomi Torii, Tomoko Ishino, Takafumi Tsuboi
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Sirasate Bantuchai, Mamoru Nozaki, Amporn Thongkukiatkul, Natcha Lorsuwannarat, Mayumi Tachibana, Minami Baba, Kazuhiro Matsuoka, Takafumi Tsuboi, Motomi Torii, Tomoko Ishino
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Mayumi Tachibana, Minami Baba, Eizo Takashima, Takafumi Tsuboi, Motomi Torii, Tomoko Ishino
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hikaru Nagaoka, Bernard N. Kanoi, Edward H. Ntege, Masamitsu Aoki, Akihisa Fukushima, Takafumi Tsuboi, Eizo Takashima
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Mamoru Nozaki, Minami Baba, Mayumi Tachibana, Naohito Tokunaga, Motomi Torii, Tomoko Ishino
Article
Cell Biology
Fei Liu, Fan Yang, Yaru Wang, Minsheng Hong, Wenqi Zheng, Hui Min, Danni Li, Ying Jin, Takafumi Tsuboi, Liwang Cui, Yaming Cao
Summary: Pb22 is a conserved protein in Plasmodium species that is essential for male gametogenesis and transmission of the malaria parasite. Knockout of Pb22 results in a significant reduction in male gamete formation and transmission efficiency, while leaving female gametes unaffected. Further studies on Pb22 in human malaria parasites are needed.
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sung-Jae Cha, Xiang Yu, Brian D. Gregory, Yong Seok Lee, Tomoko Ishino, Robert O. Opoka, Chandy C. John, Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
Summary: This study identifies activation and inhibition pathways leading to cerebral malaria (CM) and provides evidence from human specimens. The researchers found that liver infection by Plasmodium sporozoites can trigger immune responses that inhibit CM development. They also identified several early-stage prognostic biomarkers for CM, which have direct relevance to human CM.
Article
Microbiology
Minami Baba, Mamoru Nozaki, Mayumi Tachibana, Takafumi Tsuboi, Motomi Torii, Tomoko Ishino
Summary: The protein RON4 plays a crucial role in the infection of liver by Plasmodium parasites. It is involved in the crossing of sinusoidal cells and invasion of hepatocytes, contributing to the sporozoite's ability to adhere and move. This finding provides important insights into the invasion mechanisms of Apicomplexa parasites.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hitoshi Otsuki, Osamu Kaneko, Daisuke Ito, Yoko Kondo, Hideyuki Iriko, Tomoko Ishino, Mayumi Tachibana, Takafumi Tsuboi, Motomi Torii
Summary: Plasmodium malaria parasites use EBL ligands to invade erythrocytes, and a single amino acid substitution within the EBL C-terminal Cys-rich domain caused mislocalization of this molecule and alteration of the infection course and virulence. Transgenic P. yoelii lines with substitutions of Cys residues in EBL region 6 showed mislocalizations, higher parasitemias, and changes in virulence. The results indicate the importance of Cys residues in EBL region 6 for EBL localization, parasite infection course, and virulence.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ifra Hassan, Bernard N. Kanoi, Hikaru Nagaoka, Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Rachanee Udomsangpetch, Takafumi Tsuboi, Eizo Takashima
Summary: Malaria is a significant global health challenge, causing approximately 600,000 deaths each year. A study conducted in Thailand on individuals with partial immunity to malaria revealed that antibodies to certain antigens, particularly P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) domains, were significantly correlated with the absence of symptomatic malaria. These findings support previous research conducted in Uganda and highlight the importance of further characterizing these proteins for vaccine development.