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Malaria ookinetes exhibit multiple markers for apoptosis-like programmed cell death in vitro
Shashini C Arambage1, Karen M Grant, Ian Pardo
1Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine, Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Huxley Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK. h.hurd@keele.ac.uk.
Parasites & Vectors
|July 17, 2009
Summary
Malaria parasites, Plasmodium ookinetes, exhibit apoptosis-like programmed cell death (PCD) with key markers. This programmed cell death occurs naturally in vivo and in vitro, supporting ancient origins of PCD.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Parasitology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Unicellular eukaryotes, including malaria parasites, show programmed cell death (PCD) resembling metazoan apoptosis.
- Previous reports on apoptosis markers in malaria parasite stages have been contested.
- This study investigates apoptosis-like death in Plasmodium ookinetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if Plasmodium ookinetes exhibit apoptosis-like death.
- To quantify the proportion of ookinetes showing apoptosis markers.
- To examine apoptosis in Plasmodium falciparum ookinetes in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a rodent malaria model (Plasmodium berghei).
- Cultured ookinetes and assessed markers of PCD.
- Examined Plasmodium falciparum ookinetes from mosquito midguts in vivo.
Main Results:
- Ookinetes displayed loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine translocation, and caspase-like activity.
- Apoptosis marker prevalence increased over time, especially in phosphate-buffered saline.
- Over 50% of in vivo Plasmodium falciparum ookinetes showed DNA fragmentation.
Conclusions:
- Plasmodium ookinetes exhibit multiple signs of apoptosis-like programmed cell death.
- This PCD occurs naturally in vitro and in vivo without external triggers.
- Findings support the hypothesis that non-necrotic cell death mechanisms predated multicellularity.
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