Plasmodium translationally repressed gene products are essential for parasite development and malaria transmission

Excerpt

The sexual and ookinete development of Plasmodium relies on the translation of mRNAs supplied maternally in the macro-gametocyte as translationally repressed transcripts [1]. Translational repression depends on the interaction of mRNAs and RNA binding proteins such as DOZI and CITH; their absence results in mRNA destabilisation and developmental arrest of the parasite in the mosquito midgut [2]. Among the repressed mRNAs ~40 encode for potential surface molecules or adhesins. While some are well-characterised (e.g. P25 and P28), most are putative with no known function or homology. pb25/pb28 gene disruption severely impairs parasite development [3] while the presence of anti-P25 and anti-P28 antibodies in a blood meal reduces mosquito infection [4, 5]. A P25-based transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) has reached human phase 1 clinical trials but results have not been fully satisfactory [6]. For this reason, novel antigens are being pursued as targets of malaria TBVs. …