PfSRPK1, a novel splicing-related kinase from Plasmodium falciparum.
Even though it is increasingly evident that post-transcriptional events like mRNA processing and splicing may regulate gene expression and proteome diversity of malaria parasite Plasmodium, molecular mechanisms that regulate events like mRNA splicing in malaria parasite are poorly understood. Protein kinases control a wide variety of cellular events in almost all eukaryotes, including modulation of mRNA splicing, transport, and stability. We have identified a novel splicing-related protein kinase from Plasmodium falciparum, PfSRPK1. PfSRPK1 when incubated with parasite nuclear extracts inhibited RNA splicing, suggesting that it may control mRNA splicing in the parasite. PfSR1, a putative splicing factor from P. falciparum, was identified as a substrate of PfSRPK1. PfSR1 interacts with RNA and PfSRPK1 modulates its RNA binding. Early in the parasite development, PfSRPK1 and PfSR1 are present in the nucleus. These studies provide useful insights into the function of two potentially key components of P. falciparum mRNA splicing machinery.
Dixit
Aparna
A
Eukaryotic Gene Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India.
Singh
Prashant K
PK
Sharma
Guru Prasad
GP
Malhotra
Pawan
P
Sharma
Pushkar
P
D000818:Animals; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012326:RNA Splicing / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016053:RNA, Protozoan; D011494:Protein Kinases