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SAS6-like protein in Plasmodium indicates that conoid-associated apical complex proteins persist in invasive stages

Richard J Wall1, Magali Roques1, Nicholas J Katris2,3

  • 1School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Scientific Reports
|June 25, 2016
PubMed

Insights

SAS6-like protein (SAS6L) in Plasmodium is not involved in flagella assembly. Instead, SAS6L localizes to the apical complex in mosquito-stage parasites, forming a ring structure.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • SAS6-like (SAS6L) protein is a paralogue of SAS6, a key component of basal bodies and centrioles.
  • SAS6L has been identified as a flagellum protein in trypanosomatids and associated with the conoid in apicomplexans like Toxoplasma.
  • The conoid, potentially derived from flagella, is thought to be absent in Plasmodium, raising questions about SAS6L function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and function of SAS6L in Plasmodium berghei throughout its life cycle.
  • To determine if SAS6L plays a role in flagella assembly in Plasmodium male gametes.
  • To characterize the localization and potential role of SAS6L in Plasmodium invasive stages.

Main Methods:

  • Life cycle analysis of Plasmodium berghei.
  • Expression studies of SAS6L.
  • Localization studies using microscopy in different Plasmodium stages.
  • Comparative analysis with Toxoplasma tachyzoites.

Main Results:

  • SAS6L was not detected during gamete flagellum formation in Plasmodium.
  • SAS6L was specifically localized to the apical complex in ookinetes and sporozoites.
  • An apical ring structure formed by SAS6L was observed in Plasmodium ookinetes/sporozoites and Toxoplasma tachyzoites.
  • The SAS6L ring was absent in blood-stage merozoites, indicating stage-specific differentiation of the apical complex.

Conclusions:

  • SAS6L's role in Plasmodium is not related to flagella assembly.
  • SAS6L is a component of the apical complex in extracellular invasive stages of Plasmodium.
  • The study reveals stage-specific differentiation of the apical complex in Plasmodium, with SAS6L persistence in a ring structure.

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