Sex in Plasmodium: a sign of commitment.
The gametocyte, or sexual blood-stage, of the malaria parasite represents the only stage of the parasite that can be transmitted to the mosquito vector following sexual development within the infected bloodmeal. Little is known about the processes leading to this cellular differentiation and specialization. The recent completion of the Plasmodium genome, and subsequent transcriptome and proteome analyses have revealed for the first time a molecular map of the genes that are differentially regulated at the onset of and during gametocytogenesis. In this review, we outline the underlying mechanisms involved in this process, focusing on the transition between the asexual and the sexual blood-stages of the parasite.
Dixon
Matthew W A
MW
Malaria Biology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia.
Thompson
Joanne
J
Gardiner
Donald L
DL
Trenholme
Katharine R
KR
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008297:Male; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000502:physiology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D034101:Sporozoites / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C064783:sexual stage specific protein, Plasmodium