A Putative Small Solute Transporter Is Responsible for the Secretion of G377 and TRAP-Containing Secretory Vesicles during Plasmodium Gamete Egress and Sporozoite Motility

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005734
• Publication Date: 2016-07-18T17:36:52Z
• Authors: Jessica Kehrer; Mirko Singer; Leandro Lemgruber; Patricia A. G. C....; Friedrich Frischk...; Gunnar R. Mair
• Keywords: Gamete; Plasmodium berghei; Plasmodium (life cycle); Vesicle fusion

Regulated protein secretion is required for malaria parasite life cycle progression and transmission between the mammalian host mosquito vector. During from to vector, exocytosis of highly specialised secretory vesicles, such as osmiophilic bodies, key dissolution red blood cell parasitophorous vacuole membranes enabling gamete egress. The positioning adhesins TRAP family, micronemes sporozoite surface, essential gliding motility host. Here we identify a conserved role putative pantothenate transporter PAT in Plasmodium berghei vesicle fusion two distinct classes vesicles gametocytes sporozoites. membrane component bodies Despite normal formation trafficking surface upon activation, PAT-deficient gametes fail discharge their contents, remain intraerythrocytic unavailable fertilisation further development mosquito. Sporozoites lacking secrete TRAP, are immotile thus unable infect subsequent rodent Thus, P. appears regulate populations different forms rather than acting pantothenic during transmission.