The functional analysis of Plasmodium male gametocyte/gamete specific protease

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670202
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Parasitology (including sanitary zoology)
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: ISHINO Tomoko 愛媛大学, プロテオサイエンスセンター, 准教授 (40402680)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: マラリア / 寄生虫 / 熱帯病 / 感染症 / 受精

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this project, our aim is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of sexual reproduction of malarial parasites, by performing the functional analyses of a novel male gametocyte/ gamete specific protein (PyGM75), in rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium yoelii. Using PyGM75 gene disrupted parasites, it was demonstrated that PyGM75 is required for exflagellation from male gamete prior to mating. Since PyGM75 contains an expected protease domain, we are now analyzing whether its function is mediated by protease activity or not by generating the active site residue substituted transgenic parasites.

Free Research Field

分子寄生虫学