A Novel Tool for the Generation of Conditional Knockouts To Study Gene Function across the Plasmodium falciparum Life Cycle. 2019

Marta Tibúrcio, and Annie S P Yang, and Kazuhide Yahata, and Pablo Suárez-Cortés, and Hugo Belda, and Sebastian Baumgarten, and Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, and Geert-Jan van Gemert, and Youri van Waardenburg, and Elena A Levashina, and Robert W Sauerwein, and Moritz Treeck
Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.

Plasmodium falciparum has a complex life cycle that involves interaction with multiple tissues inside the human and mosquito hosts. Identification of essential genes at all different stages of the P. falciparum life cycle is urgently required for clinical development of tools for malaria control and eradication. However, the study of P. falciparum is limited by the inability to genetically modify the parasite throughout its life cycle with the currently available genetic tools. Here, we describe the detailed characterization of a new marker-free P. falciparum parasite line that expresses rapamycin-inducible Cre recombinase across the full life cycle. Using this parasite line, we were able to conditionally delete the essential invasion ligand AMA1 in three different developmental stages for the first time. We further confirm efficient gene deletion by targeting the nonessential kinase FIKK7.1.IMPORTANCE One of the major limitations in studying P. falciparum is that so far only asexual stages are amenable to rapid conditional genetic modification. The most promising drug targets and vaccine candidates, however, have been refractory to genetic modification because they are essential during the blood stage or for transmission in the mosquito vector. This leaves a major gap in our understanding of parasite proteins in most life cycle stages and hinders genetic validation of drug and vaccine targets. Here, we describe a method that supports conditional gene deletion across the P. falciparum life cycle for the first time. We demonstrate its potential by deleting essential and nonessential genes at different parasite stages, which opens up completely new avenues for the study of malaria and drug development. It may also allow the realization of novel vaccination strategies using attenuated parasites.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008018 Life Cycle Stages The continuous sequence of changes undergone by living organisms during the post-embryonic developmental process, such as metamorphosis in insects and amphibians. This includes the developmental stages of apicomplexans such as the malarial parasite, PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM. Life Cycle,Life History Stages,Cycle, Life,Cycles, Life,History Stage, Life,History Stages, Life,Life Cycle Stage,Life Cycles,Life History Stage,Stage, Life Cycle,Stage, Life History,Stages, Life Cycle,Stages, Life History
D008967 Molecular Biology A discipline concerned with studying biological phenomena in terms of the chemical and physical interactions of molecules. Biochemical Genetics,Biology, Molecular,Genetics, Biochemical,Genetics, Molecular,Molecular Genetics,Biochemical Genetic,Genetic, Biochemical,Genetic, Molecular,Molecular Genetic
D010641 Phenotype The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment. Phenotypes
D010963 Plasmodium falciparum A species of protozoa that is the causal agent of falciparum malaria (MALARIA, FALCIPARUM). It is most prevalent in the tropics and subtropics. Plasmodium falciparums,falciparums, Plasmodium
D000072138 Mosquito Vectors Mosquitoes (members of the family CULICIDAE) that transmit pathogens or their intermediate forms from one host to another. Mosquito Vector,Vector, Mosquito,Vectors, Mosquito
D017125 Genes, Protozoan The functional hereditary units of protozoa. Protozoan Genes,Gene, Protozoan,Protozoan Gene
D017353 Gene Deletion A genetic rearrangement through loss of segments of DNA or RNA, bringing sequences which are normally separated into close proximity. This deletion may be detected using cytogenetic techniques and can also be inferred from the phenotype, indicating a deletion at one specific locus. Deletion, Gene,Deletions, Gene,Gene Deletions
D055786 Gene Knockout Techniques Techniques to alter a gene sequence that result in an inactivated gene, or one in which the expression can be inactivated at a chosen time during development to study the loss of function of a gene. Gene Knock-Out Techniques,Gene Knock Out,Gene Knock Out Techniques,Gene Knockout,Gene Knock Outs,Gene Knock-Out Technique,Gene Knockout Technique,Gene Knockouts,Knock Out, Gene,Knock Outs, Gene,Knock-Out Technique, Gene,Knock-Out Techniques, Gene,Knockout Technique, Gene,Knockout Techniques, Gene,Knockout, Gene,Knockouts, Gene,Out, Gene Knock,Outs, Gene Knock,Technique, Gene Knock-Out,Technique, Gene Knockout,Techniques, Gene Knock-Out,Techniques, Gene Knockout
D019426 Integrases Recombinases that insert exogenous DNA into the host genome. Examples include proteins encoded by the POL GENE of RETROVIRIDAE and also by temperate BACTERIOPHAGES, the best known being BACTERIOPHAGE LAMBDA. Integrase
D020123 Sirolimus A macrolide compound obtained from Streptomyces hygroscopicus that acts by selectively blocking the transcriptional activation of cytokines thereby inhibiting cytokine production. It is bioactive only when bound to IMMUNOPHILINS. Sirolimus is a potent immunosuppressant and possesses both antifungal and antineoplastic properties. Rapamycin,AY 22-989,I-2190A,Rapamune,AY 22 989,AY 22989,I 2190A,I2190A

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