Physiological mechanisms of membrane structures in P. falciparum gametocytes

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K22767
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0803:Pathology, infection/immunology, and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: Miyazaki Shinya 長崎大学, 熱帯医学研究所, 助教 (40637435)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 熱帯熱マラリア原虫 / ガメトサイト / 膜リモデリング / 赤血球

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to elucidate the physiological significance of the new membrane structures formed by Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in the cytoplasm of erythrocytes. In this study, the principal investigators identified the conditions under which Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes efficiently form gametocytes. The membrane structures in erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes were subsequently observed by electron microscopy. The results showed that infected erythrocytes have a characteristic membrane structure that differs from that of Plasmodium falciparum cells. Several plasmids for knockdown of proteins transported to erythrocytes during the gametocyte stage and translocon constituent proteins were generated and transfected, and analysis of the genetically modified Plasmodium is currently underway.

Free Research Field

寄生虫学、細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、マラリア原虫の基礎的な理解および抗伝播薬の創薬研究に資する。熱帯熱マラリア原虫はヒト赤血球内でガメトサイトへと分化し蚊へと感染するため、ガメトサイトを殺滅することができればマラリア伝播を抑制することができる。ガメトサイトが赤血球内に作り出す膜構造は、ガメトサイト性分化に関連していると推察されるため、その生理機構の理解は重要である。