A5017099202- Malaria Research and Control
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Biomedical Text Mining and Ontologies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Semantic Web and Ontologies
- HIV Research and Treatment
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Complement system in diseases
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- S100 Proteins and Annexins
Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas
2016-2025
FORTH Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
2004-2024
Imperial College London
1989-2006
Centre for Technological Research of Crete
1991
University of Crete
1990
Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire des Eucaryotes
1989
University of Cambridge
1989
Harvard University Press
1989
University of Dundee
1989
Abstract The sequence of a 2.3 kb long DNA segment derived from the 5′‐most end ribosomal intergenic spacer was determined in three chromosomal forms Anopheles gambiae s.s. analysis revealed that Mopti form differed Bamako and Savanna by total ten nucleotide substitutions. Using these variations we set up diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to distinguish mosquitoes belonging forms, facilitating studies on distribution ecology incipient taxa. also allows whether given specimen...
Abstract We have established a collection of 2460 lethal or semi-lethal mutant lines using procedure thought to insert single P elements into vital genes on the third chromosome Drosophila melanogaster. More than 1200 randomly selected were examined by in situ hybridization and 90% found contain insertions at sites that mark 89% all lettered subdivisions Bridges' map. A set chromosomal deficiencies collectively uncover ~25% euchromatin 3 reveal mutations 468 corresponding 145 complementation...
Summary An essential, but poorly understood part of malaria transmission by mosquitoes is the development ookinetes into sporozoite‐producing oocysts on mosquito midgut wall. For successful oocyst formation newly formed in lumen must enter, traverse, and exit epithelium to reach basal lamina, processes collectively known as invasion. After invasion ookinete‐to‐oocyst transition occur, a process believed require ookinete interactions with lamina components. Here, we report novel extracellular...
Summary Apicomplexan parasites critically depend on a unique form of gliding motility to colonize their hosts and invade cells. Gliding requires different stage species‐specific transmembrane adhesins, which interact with an intracellular motor complex shared across parasite stages species. How is regulated by extracellular factors signalling mechanisms largely unknown, but current evidence suggests important role for cytosolic calcium as second messenger. Studying Plasmodium berghei gene...
Malaria parasites invade erythrocytes of their host both for asexual multiplication and differentiation to male female gametocytes - the precursor cells Plasmodium gametes. For further development parasite is dependent on efficient release daughter gametes from erythrocyte. How malarial exit remains largely unknown. We here report characterization a berghei protein that involved in egress Protein MDV-1/PEG3, like its falciparum orthologue, present sexes, but more abundant female, where it...
A novel alternative to microcloning for the production of region specific chromosomal DNA is described.In this method, 'microamplification', single bands are dissected from polytene chromosomes and digested with Sau3A.Oligonucleotide adaptors ligated these fragments provide convenient priming sites polymerase chain reaction amplification.In way, as much 1fig can be amplified a band.Probes made PCR two such dissections have been used probe cloned form 100kb chromosome walk.Whereas...
Arthropod borne diseases cause significant human morbidity and mortality and, therefore, efficient measures to control transmission of the disease agents would have great impact on health. One strategy achieve this goal is based manipulation bacterial symbionts vectors. Bacteria Gram-negative, acetic acid bacterium genus Asaia been found be stably associated with larvae adults Southeast Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi, dominating microbiota mosquito. We show here that after...
Following fertilization, the early proteomes of metazoans are defined by translation stored but repressed transcripts; further embryonic development relies on de novo transcription zygotic genome. During sexual Plasmodium berghei, a rodent model for human malaria species including P. falciparum, stability mRNAs requires translational repressors DOZI and CITH. When these absent, zygote transmission to mosquito vector is halted, as hundreds transcripts become destabilized. However, which...
Successful gametogenesis of the malaria parasite depends on egress gametocytes from erythrocytes within which they developed. Egress entails rupture both parasitophorous vacuole membrane and erythrocyte plasma membrane, precedes formation motile flagellated male gametes in a process called exflagellation. We show here that gametocyte function perforin-like protein, PPLP2. A mutant Plasmodium berghei lacking PPLP2 displayed abnormal exflagellation; instead each forming eight gametes, it...
Male gametogenesis occurs directly after uptake of malaria parasites by the mosquito vector and leads to release eight nucleated flagellar gametes. Here, we report that one two parasite actin isoforms, named II, is essential for this process. Disruption II in Plasmodium berghei resulted viable asexual blood stages, but male was specifically inhibited. Upon activation, gametocyte DNA replicated normally axonemes assembled, egress from host cell inhibited, axoneme motility abolished. The major...
Actins are highly conserved proteins and key players in central processes all eukaryotic cells. The two actins of the malaria parasite among most divergent also differ from each other more than isoforms any species. Microfilaments have not been directly observed Plasmodium presumed to be short dynamic. We show that actin I cannot complement II male gametogenesis, suggesting critical structural differences. Cryo-EM reveals has a unique filament structure, whereas filaments resemble canonical...
In preparation for transmission to its mosquito vector, Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent of human malaria parasites, adopts an unusual elongated shape. Here we describe a previously unrecognized actin-based cytoskeleton that is assembled in maturing P. falciparum gametocytes. Differential extraction reveals presence highly stabilized population F-actin at all stages development. Super-resolution microscopy concentrated ends elongating gametocyte but extends inward along microtubule...
We have developed an in vitro culture system for early sporogonic stages of Plasmodium berghei, which can be used to study developmental events normally taking place the midgut infected mosquito. These include penetration insect cells by mature ookinete, transformation into oocysts and development latter, sustained through several rounds nuclear division. The system, based upon co-culture enriched ookinetes with established cell lines, was mutant lacking both Pbs21 Pbs25 surface proteins....
Journal Article Towards a physical map of the Drosophila melanogaster genome: mapping cosmid clones within defined genomic divisions Get access I. Sidén-Kiamos, Sidén-Kiamos 1Institute Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Research Center CretePO Box 1527, Heraklion 711 10, Crete, Greece Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar R.D.C. Saunders, Saunders 2Cancer Campaign Laboratories, Department Biochemistry, University DundeeDundee DD1 4HN L. Spanos,...
Gametogenesis is the earliest event after uptake of malaria parasites by mosquito vector, with a decisive impact on colonization midgut. This process triggered drop in temperature and contact molecules. In few minutes, male female gametocytes escape from host erythrocyte rupturing parasitophorous vacuole membranes. Electron-dense, oval-shaped organelles, osmiophilic bodies (OB), have been implicated egress gametocytes. By comparative electron microscopy tomography analyses combined...
Functional analysis of Plasmodium genes by classical reverse genetics is currently limited to mutants that are viable during erythrocytic schizogony, the pathogenic phase malaria parasite where transfection performed. Here, we describe a conceptually simple experimental approach study function essential asexual blood stages in subsequent life cycle stage promoter-swap approach. As proof concept targeted unconventional class XIV myosin MyoA, which known be required for Toxoplasma gondii...
Malaria parasites alternate between intracellular and extracellular stages successful egress from the host cell is crucial for continuation of life cycle. We investigated Plasmodium berghei gametocytes, an essential process taking place within a few minutes after uptake blood meal by mosquito. Egress entails rupture two membranes surrounding parasite: parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), red (RBCM). High-speed video microscopy 56 events revealed that in both genders comprises four...
Beekeeping worldwide is increasingly threatened by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, whose management relies heavily on synthetic acaricides such as amitraz and flumethrin. However, growing incidence of acaricide resistance in V. destructor presents a significant global challenge to apiculture. In this study, we investigated mechanisms underlying these compounds population exhibiting reduced susceptibility both Specifically, bioassays revealed that resistant (IL-R) displayed 35.0 %...
Abstract Background Ontologies are rapidly becoming a necessity for the design of efficient information technology tools, especially databases, because they permit organization stored data using logical rules and defined terms that understood by both humans machines. This has as consequence an enhanced usage interoperability databases related resources. It is hoped IDOMAL, ontology malaria will prove valuable instrument when implemented in research control measures. Methods The OBOEdit2...
Malaria parasites have two actin isoforms, ubiquitous actin1 and specialized actin2. Actin2 is essential for late male gametogenesis, prior to egress from the host erythrocyte. Here, we examined whether actins fulfil overlapping functions in Plasmodium berghei. Replacement of actin2 with resulted partial complementation defects gametogenesis and, thus, viable ookinetes were formed, able invade midgut epithelium develop into oocysts. However, these remained small their DNA was undetectable at...
Current strategies for the mass administration of antimalarial drugs demand oral formulations to target asexual Plasmodium stages in peripheral bloodstream, whereas recommendations future interventions stress importance also targeting transmission parasite as it passes between humans and mosquitoes. Orally administered polyamidoamine (PAA) nanoparticles conjugated chloroquine reached blood circulation cured yoelii-infected mice, slightly improving activity free drug inducing animals immunity...
Abstract Male and female Plasmodium gametocytes ingested by the Anopheles mosquitoes during a blood meal egress from red cells rupturing two surrounding membranes, parasitophorous vacuole cell membranes. Proteins of so‐called osmiophilic bodies, (OBs), secretory organelles resident in cytoplasm, are important players this process. Once gametes emerge, is ready to be fertilized while male develops into motile flagellar gametes. Here, we describe function(s) PBANKA_1115200, which named Gamete...