Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations
07:14

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations

Published on: September 20, 2019

8.7K

Plasmodium ARK1 regulates spindle formation during atypical mitosis and forms a divergent chromosomal passenger

Rita Tewari1, Annu Nagar2, Ryuji Yanase1

  • 1University of Nottingham.

Research Square
|October 3, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites have unique mitosis. Aurora-related kinase 1 (ARK1) is crucial for spindle formation and segregation, offering a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mitosis in Plasmodium differs from model eukaryotes, lacking key regulators.
  • Plasmodium exhibits unique nuclear replication during schizogony and gametogony.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key regulators of Plasmodium mitosis.
  • To investigate the role of Aurora-related kinase 1 (ARK1) in parasite cell division.
  • To characterize the Plasmodium chromosomal passenger complex (CPC).

Main Methods:

  • Conditional depletion of ARK1.
  • Interactome analysis to identify ARK1 binding partners.
  • Comparative genomics within Apicomplexa.

Main Results:

  • ARK1 is essential for inner MTOC and spindle formation, controlling kinetochore dynamics.
  • ARK1 depletion disrupts spindle biogenesis, segregation, and cytokinesis, impacting parasite transmission.
  • ARK1 forms a non-canonical CPC with two INCENPs, lacking Survivin and Borealin.

Conclusions:

  • Plasmodium utilizes a distinct mitotic machinery.
  • The ARK1-INCENP complex is a conserved feature in Apicomplexa.
  • The ARK1-INCENP interface represents a potential therapeutic target for malaria.
Keywords:
Aurora kinaseINCENPMTOCPlasmodiumchromosomal passenger complex (CPC)cytokinesiskaryokinesismale gametogonyspindletransmission

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