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Ookluc: A Plasmodium berghei Line for Identifying Transmission-blocking Compounds
Published on: July 11, 2025
Plasmodium berghei crystalloids contain multiple LCCL proteins.
Sadia Saeed1, Victoria Carter, Annie Z Tremp
1Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
|November 26, 2009
Summary
Malaria crystalloids, organelles with unknown function, are linked to the Plasmodium LCCL protein family. Two new LCCL proteins also target crystalloids, suggesting a coordinated function in parasite development.
Area of Science:
- Malariology
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Malaria crystalloids are unique organelles found in mosquito stages of the malaria parasite.
- Their function remains unknown.
- The Plasmodium LCCL protein family, involved in parasite development, was recently linked to crystalloid formation via the PbSR protein.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the localization of other Plasmodium LCCL protein family members.
- To determine if these proteins also localize to malaria crystalloids.
- To provide further evidence for a coordinated function of the LCCL protein family.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescent protein tagging of Plasmodium berghei LCCL family members.
- Microscopic analysis to determine protein localization within the parasite.
Main Results:
- Two additional Plasmodium LCCL protein family members were successfully tagged with fluorescent proteins.
- These tagged proteins were observed to localize to the malaria crystalloids.
- The localization pattern was similar to that observed for PbSR.
Conclusions:
- The findings extend the known similarities among Plasmodium LCCL proteins.
- This supports the hypothesis that LCCL proteins function collectively.
- It suggests a shared molecular process involving crystalloid targeting in parasite development.
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