Targeting Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in a Functional Genomics Era: Next Steps
Mosquito transmission of the deadly malaria parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> is mediated by mature sexual forms (gametocytes). Circulating in the vertebrate host, relatively few intraerythrocytic gametocytes are picked up during a bloodmeal to continue sexual development in the mosq...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/346 |
| _version_ | 1797541209249415168 |
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| author | Jyotsna Chawla Jenna Oberstaller John H. Adams |
| author_facet | Jyotsna Chawla Jenna Oberstaller John H. Adams |
| author_sort | Jyotsna Chawla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mosquito transmission of the deadly malaria parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> is mediated by mature sexual forms (gametocytes). Circulating in the vertebrate host, relatively few intraerythrocytic gametocytes are picked up during a bloodmeal to continue sexual development in the mosquito vector. Human-to-vector transmission thus represents an infection bottleneck in the parasite’s life cycle for therapeutic interventions to prevent malaria. Even though recent progress has been made in the identification of genetic factors linked to gametocytogenesis, a plethora of genes essential for sexual-stage development are yet to be unraveled. In this review, we revisit <i>P. falciparum</i> transmission biology by discussing targetable features of gametocytes and provide a perspective on a forward-genetic approach for identification of novel transmission-blocking candidates in the future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:12:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cf62158d5e6b4d01948ba58dfea5bd26 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:12:57Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-cf62158d5e6b4d01948ba58dfea5bd262023-11-21T10:39:12ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172021-03-0110334610.3390/pathogens10030346Targeting Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in a Functional Genomics Era: Next StepsJyotsna Chawla0Jenna Oberstaller1John H. Adams2Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, MDC 7, Tampa, FL 33612, USACenter for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research and USF Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Suite 404, Tampa, FL 33612, USACenter for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research and USF Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Suite 404, Tampa, FL 33612, USAMosquito transmission of the deadly malaria parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> is mediated by mature sexual forms (gametocytes). Circulating in the vertebrate host, relatively few intraerythrocytic gametocytes are picked up during a bloodmeal to continue sexual development in the mosquito vector. Human-to-vector transmission thus represents an infection bottleneck in the parasite’s life cycle for therapeutic interventions to prevent malaria. Even though recent progress has been made in the identification of genetic factors linked to gametocytogenesis, a plethora of genes essential for sexual-stage development are yet to be unraveled. In this review, we revisit <i>P. falciparum</i> transmission biology by discussing targetable features of gametocytes and provide a perspective on a forward-genetic approach for identification of novel transmission-blocking candidates in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/346gametocyte biologysexual stagesforward genetic screenstransmission-blocking candidates |
| spellingShingle | Jyotsna Chawla Jenna Oberstaller John H. Adams Targeting Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in a Functional Genomics Era: Next Steps Pathogens gametocyte biology sexual stages forward genetic screens transmission-blocking candidates |
| title | Targeting Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in a Functional Genomics Era: Next Steps |
| title_full | Targeting Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in a Functional Genomics Era: Next Steps |
| title_fullStr | Targeting Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in a Functional Genomics Era: Next Steps |
| title_full_unstemmed | Targeting Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in a Functional Genomics Era: Next Steps |
| title_short | Targeting Gametocytes of the Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in a Functional Genomics Era: Next Steps |
| title_sort | targeting gametocytes of the malaria parasite i plasmodium falciparum i in a functional genomics era next steps |
| topic | gametocyte biology sexual stages forward genetic screens transmission-blocking candidates |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/346 |
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