A single protein could be responsible for the development of a killer malaria parasite, British researchers reveal today.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham say they have been able to disable the protein, PF16, in the male sex cells.
The breakthrough, detailed in today’s edition of PLoS ONE, could open up a new area of malaria parasite biology, which in turn could lead to new methods of controlling the transmission of this deadly disease.
Dr Rita Tewari, from the university’s Institute of Genetics, said the PF16 protein contains a structure called an Armadillo repeat. Blocking the formation of the cells could prevent the spread of the disease, which threatens 40 per cent of the world’s human population.
The male sex cells – the male gamete – are the only developmental stage of the parasite that possess a flagellum, a tail-like projection that is important for motility.
“Male gametes move using flagella, which are ancient structures that are formed in a unique way in the malaria parasite,” she writes. “This is the first report describing the role of the Armadillo repeat protein PF16 in the flagellar biology of male sex cells in malaria.
“Blocking formation of these cells is an important strategy to prevent malaria transmission and this study represents a significant breakthrough in understanding this process.”
The transmission of malaria between humans and mosquitoes depends on the sexual stages of the parasite’s life cycle. The malaria parasite develops into male and female gametes (sex cells), which then fertilise.
By blocking the formation of these sex cells researchers have found a route to preventing malaria transmission, which will enable scientists to design a new model for the analysis of Plasmodium flagellar biology, added Dr Tewari.
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