Identification of a novel and unique transcription factor in the intraerythrocytic stage of Plasmodium falciparum.

Identification of a novel and unique transcription factor in the intraerythrocytic stage of Plasmodium falciparum.

Blog Article

The mechanisms of stage-specific gene regulation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are largely unclear, with only Antiseptics/Disinfectants a small number of specific regulatory transcription factors (AP2 family) having been identified.In particular, the transcription factors that function in the intraerythrocytic stage remain to be elucidated.Previously, as a model case for stage-specific transcription in the P.

falciparum intraerythrocytic stage, we analyzed the transcriptional regulation of pf1-cys-prx, a trophozoite/schizont-specific gene, and suggested that some nuclear factors bind specifically to the cis-element of pf1-cys-prx and enhance transcription.In the present study, we purified nuclear factors from parasite nuclear extract by 5 steps of chromatography, and identified a factor termed PREBP.PREBP is not included in the AP2 family, and is a novel protein with four K-homology (KH) domains.

The KH domain is known to be found in RNA-binding or single-stranded DNA-binding proteins.PREBP is well conserved in Plasmodium species and partially conserved in phylum Apicomplexa.To evaluate the effects of PREBP overexpression, we used a transient overexpression and luciferase Bike Units - Hardtail - Performance assay combined approach.

Overexpression of PREBP markedly enhanced luciferase expression under the control of the pf1-cys-prx cis-element.These results provide the first evidence of a novel transcription factor that activates the gene expression in the malaria parasite intraerythrocytic stage.These findings enhance our understanding of the evolution of specific transcription machinery in Plasmodium and other eukaryotes.