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Plasmodium falciparum sexual differentiation in malaria patients is associated with host factors and GDV1-dependent genes

Author

Listed:
  • Miho Usui

    (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
    Loyola University Chicago
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology)

  • Surendra K. Prajapati

    (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)

  • Ruth Ayanful-Torgby

    (University of Ghana)

  • Festus K. Acquah

    (University of Ghana)

  • Elizabeth Cudjoe

    (University of Ghana)

  • Courage Kakaney

    (University of Ghana)

  • Jones A. Amponsah

    (University of Ghana)

  • Evans K. Obboh

    (University of Cape Coast)

  • Deepti K. Reddy

    (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)

  • Michelle C. Barbeau

    (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)

  • Lacy M. Simons

    (Loyola University Chicago)

  • Beata Czesny

    (Loyola University Chicago)

  • Sorana Raiciulescu

    (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)

  • Cara Olsen

    (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)

  • Benjamin K. Abuaku

    (University of Ghana)

  • Linda E. Amoah

    (University of Ghana)

  • Kim C. Williamson

    (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
    Loyola University Chicago
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology)

Abstract

Plasmodium sexual differentiation is required for malaria transmission, yet much remains unknown about its regulation. Here, we quantify early gametocyte-committed ring (gc-ring) stage, P. falciparum parasites in 260 uncomplicated malaria patient blood samples 10 days before maturation to transmissible stage V gametocytes using a gametocyte conversion assay (GCA). Seventy six percent of the samples have gc-rings, but the ratio of gametocyte to asexual-committed rings (GCR) varies widely (0–78%). GCR correlates positively with parasitemia and is negatively influenced by fever, not hematocrit, age or leukocyte counts. Higher expression levels of GDV1-dependent genes, ap2-g, msrp1 and gexp5, as well as a gdv1 allele encoding H217 are associated with high GCR, while high plasma lysophosphatidylcholine levels are associated with low GCR in the second study year. The results provide a view of sexual differentiation in the field and suggest key regulatory roles for clinical factors and gdv1 in gametocytogenesis in vivo.

Suggested Citation

  • Miho Usui & Surendra K. Prajapati & Ruth Ayanful-Torgby & Festus K. Acquah & Elizabeth Cudjoe & Courage Kakaney & Jones A. Amponsah & Evans K. Obboh & Deepti K. Reddy & Michelle C. Barbeau & Lacy M. S, 2019. "Plasmodium falciparum sexual differentiation in malaria patients is associated with host factors and GDV1-dependent genes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10172-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10172-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiepeng Guan & Peijia Wu & Xiaoli Mo & Xiaolong Zhang & Wenqi Liang & Xiaoming Zhang & Lubin Jiang & Jian Li & Huiting Cui & Jing Yuan, 2024. "An axonemal intron splicing program sustains Plasmodium male development," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Gayani Batugedara & Xueqing M. Lu & Borislav Hristov & Steven Abel & Zeinab Chahine & Thomas Hollin & Desiree Williams & Tina Wang & Anthony Cort & Todd Lenz & Trevor A. Thompson & Jacques Prudhomme &, 2023. "Novel insights into the role of long non-coding RNA in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-19, December.

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