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

Wall, Richard J.; Zeeshan, Mohammad; Katris, Nicholas J.; Limenitakis, Rebecca; Rea, Edward; Stock, Jessica; Brady, Declan; Waller, Ross F.; Holder, Anthony A.; Tewari, Rita

Abstract

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 characterized 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 traversal, 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.

Citation

Wall, R. J., Zeeshan, M., Katris, N. J., Limenitakis, R., Rea, E., Stock, J., Brady, D., Waller, R. F., Holder, A. A., & Tewari, R. (2019). Systematic analysis of Plasmodium myosins reveals differential expression, localisation, and function in invasive and proliferative parasite stages. Cellular Microbiology, 21(10), Article e13082. https://doi.org/10.1111/cmi.13082

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 3, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jul 23, 2019
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 6, 2019
• Journal: Cellular Microbiology
• Print ISSN: 1462-5814
• Electronic ISSN: 1462-5822
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 10
• Article Number: e13082
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cmi.13082
• Keywords: Immunology; Microbiology; Virology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2395102
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cmi.13082
• Contract Date: Aug 6, 2019