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Published on: July 12, 2022
Coevolutionary Analysis of the Pfs47-P47Rec Complex: A Bioinformatics Approach
Andrés S Ortiz-Morazán1, Marcela María Moncada1, Denis Escobar1
1Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Background:
The ability to predict and comprehend molecular interactions offers significant insights into the biological functions of proteins. The interaction between surface protein 47 of Plasmodium falciparum (Pfs47) and receptor of the protein 47 (P47Rec) has attracted increased attention due to their role in parasite evasion of the mosquito immune system and the concept of geographical coevolution between species. The aims of this study were as follows: to apply a bioinformatics approach to investigate the interaction between Pfs47 and P47Rec proteins and to identify the potential binding sites, protein orientations and receptor specificity sites concerning the geographical origins of the vectors and the parasite.
Methods:
Public sequences of the pfs47 and p47rec genes were downloaded and subsequently filtered to predict functional and structural annotations of the Pfs47-P47Rec complex. Phylogenetic analyses of both proteins were carried out. In addition, the p47Rec gene was subjected to sequencing and subsequent analysis in 2 distinct Anopheles species collected in Honduras.
Results:
The examination of motifs reveals a significant degree of conservation in pfs47, suggesting that Pfs47 might have undergone recent evolutionary development and adaptation. Structural models and docking analyses supported the theory of selectivity of Plasmodium falciparum strains towards their vectors in diverse geographical regions. A detailed description of the putative interaction between the Pfs47-P47Rec complex is shown.
Conclusions:
The study identifies coevolutionary patterns between P47Rec and Pfs47 related to the speciation and geographic dispersion of Anopheles species and Plasmodium falciparum, with Pfs47 evolving more recently than P47Rec. This suggests a link between the parasite's adaptability and existing anopheline species across different regions. P47Rec likely has a cytoplasmic localization due to its lack of membrane attachment elements. However, these findings are based on simulations and require validation through methods like cryo-electron microscopy. A significant limitation is the scarcity of sequences in global databases, which restricts precise interaction modelling. Further research with diverse parasite isolates and anopheline species is recommended to enhance understanding of these proteins' structure and interaction.
Insights
This study reveals coevolution between Plasmodium falciparum protein 47 (Pfs47) and its receptor (P47Rec), showing Pfs47 evolves faster, aiding parasite adaptation to Anopheles mosquitoes. Further research is needed for validation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Bioinformatics
- Parasitology
Background:
- Understanding molecular interactions is key to deciphering protein functions.
- The interaction between Plasmodium falciparum surface protein 47 (Pfs47) and its receptor (P47Rec) is crucial for parasite evasion of mosquito immunity.
- This interaction is also linked to geographical coevolution between Plasmodium falciparum and Anopheles species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the Pfs47-P47Rec interaction using bioinformatics.
- To identify potential binding sites, orientations, and receptor specificity.
- To correlate these features with the geographical origins of parasite and vector.
Main Methods:
- Downloaded and filtered public sequences of pfs47 and p47rec genes.
- Performed phylogenetic analyses of both proteins.
- Sequenced and analyzed the p47Rec gene from two Anopheles species in Honduras.
Main Results:
- Motif analysis indicated significant conservation in pfs47, suggesting recent evolutionary adaptation.
- Structural models and docking analyses supported geographical selectivity between Plasmodium falciparum strains and their vectors.
- Detailed putative interaction models for the Pfs47-P47Rec complex were generated.
Conclusions:
- Identified coevolutionary patterns between P47Rec and Pfs47 linked to Anopheles speciation and Plasmodium falciparum geographic dispersion.
- Pfs47 exhibits more recent evolution than P47Rec, suggesting a role in parasite adaptability.
- P47Rec likely localizes cytoplasmically; findings require experimental validation (e.g., cryo-EM) due to sequence data limitations.
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