Systematic analysis of Plasmodium myosins reveals differential expression, localisation, and function in invasive and proliferative parasite stages

TY - JOUR

T1 - Systematic analysis of Plasmodium myosins reveals differential expression, localisation, and function in invasive and proliferative parasite stages

AU - Wall, Richard J.

AU - Zeeshan, Mohammad

AU - Katris, Nicholas J.

AU - Limenitakis, Rebecca

AU - Rea, Edward

AU - Stock, Jessica

AU - Brady, Declan

AU - Waller, Ross F.

AU - Holder, Anthony A.

AU - Tewari, Rita

N1 - This project was funded by MRC Investigator Award and MRC project grants to RT [G0900109, G0900278, MR/K011782/1]. RFW was supported by an MRC project grant [MR/M011690/1]. AAH was supported by the Francis Crick Institute which receives its core funding from Cancer Research UK (FC001097), the UK Medical Research Council (FC001097), and the Wellcome Trust (FC001097). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PY - 2019/7/23

Y1 - 2019/7/23

N2 - The myosin superfamily comprises of actin-dependent eukaryotic molecular motors important in a variety of cellular functions. Although well studied in many systems, knowledge of their functions in Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, is restricted. Previously, six myosins were identified in this genus, including three Class XIV myosins found only in Apicomplexa and some Ciliates. The well characterised MyoA, is a class XIV myosin essential for gliding motility and invasion. Here, we characterize all other Plasmodium myosins throughout the parasite life cycle and show that they have very diverse patterns of expression and cellular location. MyoB and MyoE, the other two Class XIV myosins, are expressed in all invasive stages, with apical and basal locations, respectively. Gene deletion revealed that MyoE is involved in sporozoite motility, MyoF and MyoK are likely essential in the asexual blood stages, and MyoJ and MyoB are not essential. Both MyoB and its essential light chain (MCL-B) are localised at the apical end of ookinetes but expressed at completely different time points. This work provides a better understanding of the role of actomyosin motors in Apicomplexan parasites, particularly in the motile and invasive stages of Plasmodium during sexual and asexual development within the mosquito.

AB - The myosin superfamily comprises of actin-dependent eukaryotic molecular motors important in a variety of cellular functions. Although well studied in many systems, knowledge of their functions in Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, is restricted. Previously, six myosins were identified in this genus, including three Class XIV myosins found only in Apicomplexa and some Ciliates. The well characterised MyoA, is a class XIV myosin essential for gliding motility and invasion. Here, we characterize all other Plasmodium myosins throughout the parasite life cycle and show that they have very diverse patterns of expression and cellular location. MyoB and MyoE, the other two Class XIV myosins, are expressed in all invasive stages, with apical and basal locations, respectively. Gene deletion revealed that MyoE is involved in sporozoite motility, MyoF and MyoK are likely essential in the asexual blood stages, and MyoJ and MyoB are not essential. Both MyoB and its essential light chain (MCL-B) are localised at the apical end of ookinetes but expressed at completely different time points. This work provides a better understanding of the role of actomyosin motors in Apicomplexan parasites, particularly in the motile and invasive stages of Plasmodium during sexual and asexual development within the mosquito.

U2 - 10.1111/cmi.13082

DO - 10.1111/cmi.13082

M3 - Article

C2 - 31283102

SN - 1462-5814

VL - 21

JO - Cellular Microbiology

JF - Cellular Microbiology

IS - 10

M1 - e13082

ER -