Changes in genome organization of parasite-specific gene families during the Plasmodium transmission stages

Nat Commun. 2018 May 15;9(1):1910. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04295-5.

Abstract

The development of malaria parasites throughout their various life cycle stages is coordinated by changes in gene expression. We previously showed that the three-dimensional organization of the Plasmodium falciparum genome is strongly associated with gene expression during its replication cycle inside red blood cells. Here, we analyze genome organization in the P. falciparum and P. vivax transmission stages. Major changes occur in the localization and interactions of genes involved in pathogenesis and immune evasion, host cell invasion, sexual differentiation, and master regulation of gene expression. Furthermore, we observe reorganization of subtelomeric heterochromatin around genes involved in host cell remodeling. Depletion of heterochromatin protein 1 (PfHP1) resulted in loss of interactions between virulence genes, confirming that PfHP1 is essential for maintenance of the repressive center. Our results suggest that the three-dimensional genome structure of human malaria parasites is strongly connected with transcriptional activity of specific gene families throughout the life cycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anopheles / parasitology
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology
  • Female
  • Genome, Protozoan*
  • Humans
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology*
  • Multigene Family*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development
  • Plasmodium falciparum / physiology
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics*
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5