Cryptosporidium Oocyst Wall Proteins are true oocyst wall proteins, with COWP8 functioning to hold the inner and outer layers of the oocyst wall together

Cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of diarrhoeal disease contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality for the immunocompromised and for young children, especially those who are malnourished. There are no vaccines available and no effective treatments for these patients. Another challenge is that Cryptosporidia are waterborne and resistant to common water treatments including chlorination. Cryptosporidia are transmitted as an oocyst that is made up of a hardy oocyst wall that protects four parasites. Little is understood about how the oocyst is constructed, its composition, and the how it resists chlorination. A family of predicted Cryptosporidium Oocyst Wall Proteins (COWPs) was identified from the genome. Using a genetic approach, we confirm that all members of the COWP family localise to the oocyst wall. Our studies indicate that COWP2, 3 and 4 localise specifically to the oocyst suture, a zipper-like structure on the oocyst wall from which parasites emerge during infection. In parasites lacking COWP8, we observe that the inner and outer layers of the oocyst wall are no longer associated suggesting a role for COWP8 in oocyst wall morphology. Despite loss of COWP8, these transgenic parasites are viable, unchanged in mechanical strength, and retain resistance to chlorination. This work sets the foundation for future exploration of Cryptosporidium transmission.