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A female gametocyte-specific ABC transporter plays a role in lipid metabolism in the malaria parasite

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  • Phuong N. Tran

    (Research School of Biology, The Australian National University
    La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University)

  • Simon H. J. Brown

    (School of Medicine and the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong)

  • Todd W. Mitchell

    (School of Medicine and the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong)

  • Kai Matuschewski

    (Parasitology Group, Max-Planck-Institute for Infection Biology)

  • Paul J. McMillan

    (Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne)

  • Kiaran Kirk

    (Research School of Biology, The Australian National University)

  • Matthew W. A. Dixon

    (Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne)

  • Alexander G. Maier

    (Research School of Biology, The Australian National University)

Abstract

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters serve a variety of physiological functions as well as play key roles in drug resistance. The genome of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, encodes multiple members of this family, one of which, gABCG2, is transcribed predominantly in the gametocyte stage. Here we use gene deletion and tagging to investigate the expression, localization and function of gABCG2. The protein is found in a single dot-like lipid-rich structure within female, but not male, gametocytes. gABCG2-knockout cell lines produce more gametocytes of both sexes. By contrast, cholesteryl esters, diacylglycerols and triacylglycerols are significantly reduced in gABCG2-knockout gametocyte stages. We propose a role for gABCG2 in the regulation of gametocyte numbers and in the accumulation of neutral lipids, which are likely important for parasite development in the insect stages of the parasite life cycle.

Suggested Citation

  • Phuong N. Tran & Simon H. J. Brown & Todd W. Mitchell & Kai Matuschewski & Paul J. McMillan & Kiaran Kirk & Matthew W. A. Dixon & Alexander G. Maier, 2014. "A female gametocyte-specific ABC transporter plays a role in lipid metabolism in the malaria parasite," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5773
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5773
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    Cited by:

    1. Rui Xu & Wandy L. Beatty & Valentin Greigert & William H. Witola & L. David Sibley, 2024. "Multiple pathways for glucose phosphate transport and utilization support growth of Cryptosporidium parvum," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.

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