Intracellular calcium levels in the Plasmodium berghei ookinete
Autor(es): Siden-Kiamos, I.; Louis, C.
Resumo: Ookinetes are the motile and invasive stages of Plasmodium parasites in the mosquito host. Here we explore the role of intracellular Ca(2+) in ookinete survival and motility as well as in the formation of oocysts in vitro in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Treatment with the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 induced death of the parasite, an effect that Could be prevented if the ookinetes were co-incubated with insect cells before incubation with the ionophore. Treatment with the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA/AM resulted in increased formation of oocysts in vitro. Calcium imaging in the ookinete using fluorescent calcium indicators revealed that the purified ookinetes have an intracellular calcium concentration in the range of 100 nM. Intracellular calcium levels decreased substantially when the ookinetes were incubated with insect cells and their motility was concomitantly increased. Our results suggest a pleiotropic role for intracellular calcium in the ookinete.
Palavras-Chave: Plasmodium Berghei; Ookinetes; Gliding Motility; Invasion; Ca(2+) Signalling
Imprenta: Parasitology, v. 135, n. 12, p. 1355-1362, 2008
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1017/S0031182008004939
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Biochemistry
Data de publicação: 2008
