Molecular mechanism of nutrient uptake by malaria parasite-infected red blood cells

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H06873
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Parasitology (including sanitary zoology)
• Research Institution: Tottori University
• Principal Investigator: ITO Daisuke 鳥取大学, 医学部, 助教 (80609298)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-08-25 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 寄生虫 / マラリア / イオンチャネル / 赤血球 / 先端部小器官 / BioID / CRISPR/Cas9 / RON3

Outline of Final Research Achievements

One of the nutrient uptakes of malaria parasites is mediated by the parasite specific ion channel on infected red blood cells and is an antimalarial drug target. In this study, we attempted to identify RhopH complex interacting proteins and apical organellar proteins that are involved in nutrient uptake using transgenic parasites. Functional analysis of transgenic parasites revealed that Rhoptry neck protein 3 (RON3) is essential for parasite growth and is involved in ion channel formation on infected red blood cells.

Free Research Field

分子寄生虫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、繰り返されてきた薬剤耐性マラリア原虫の出現に終止符を打つことを目的とした耐性獲得リスクの低い栄養素の取込み分子機構を標的とする創薬に繋がる知見となる。これまでに栄養素の取込みに関与する分子として唯一同定されていたRhopH複合体に加えてRON3を新規に同定したことで、赤血球期マラリア原虫の栄養素取込み機構を理解する大きな手がかりを得た。