Gene expression in Plasmodium berghei ookinetes and early oocysts in a co-culture system with mosquito cells

Using an in vitro development system for Plasmodium berghei sporogonic stages and microarray technology we examined parasite gene expression during ookinete invasion of Aedes cells and the ensuing oocyst development. A number of genes were found to be differentially expressed. The most prominent class of up-regulated elements corresponded to products involved in protein synthesis and metabolism. Furthermore, several previously studied genes with a known in vivo developmental profile matched published data. A large number of genes with a hitherto unknown function during the life cycle stages studied also show a differential pattern of expression, indicating the involvement of their products in control and execution of active developmental processes.