title: Functional characterization of an LCCL-lectin domain containing protein family in Plasmodium berghei.
abstract: Using bioinformatic, proteomic, immunofluorescence, and genetic cross methods, we have functionally characterized a family of putative parasite ligands as potential mediators of cell-cell interactions. We name these proteins the Limulus clotting factor C, Coch-5b2, and Lgl1 (LCCL)-lectin adhesive-like protein (LAP) family. We demonstrate that this family is conserved amongst Plasmodium spp. It possesses a unique arrangement of adhesive protein domains normally associated with extracellular proteins. The proteins are expressed predominantly, though not exclusively, in the mosquito stages of the life cycle. We test the hypothesis that these proteins are surface proteins with 1 member of this gene family, lap1, and provide evidence that it is expressed on the surface of Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. Finally, through genetic crosses of wild-type Pblap1+ and transgenic Pblap1- parasites, we show that the null phenotype previously reported for sporozoite development in a Pblap1- mutant can be rescued within a heterokaryotic oocyst and that infectious Pblap1 sporozoites can be formed. The mutant is not rescued by coparasitization of mosquitoes with a mixture Pblap1+ and Pblap1- homokaryotic oocysts.
authors.affiliation: Immunology and Infection Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors.forename: Holly E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Trueman
authors.forename: J Dale
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Raine
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Florens
authors.forename: Johannes T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Dessens
authors.forename: Jacqui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Cecilia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Delrieu
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Holders
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langhorne
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Carucci
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sinden
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015870:Gene Expression; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins