Publications (30) View all
-
Article: Recycling factors for ribosome disassembly in the apicoplast and mitochondrion of Plasmodium falciparum.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The reduced genomes of the apicoplast and mitochondrion of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are actively translated and antibiotic-mediated translation inhibition is detrimental to parasite survival. In order to understand recycling of organellar ribosomes, a critical step in protein translation, we identified ribosome recycling factors (RRF) encoded by the parasite nuclear genome. Targeting of PfRRF1 and PfRRF2 to the apicoplast and mitochondrion respectively was established by localization of leader sequence-GFP fusions. Unlike any RRF characterized thus far, PfRRF2 formed dimers with disulphide interaction(s) and additionally localized in the cytoplasm, thus suggesting adjunct functions for the factor. PfRRF1 carries a large 108-amino-acid insertion in the functionally critical hinge region between the head and tail domains of the protein, yet complemented Escherichia coli RRF in the LJ14frr(ts) mutant and disassembled surrogate E. coli 70S ribosomes in the presence of apicoplast-targeted EF-G. Recombinant PfRRF2 bound E. coli ribosomes and could split monosomes in the presence of the relevant mitochondrial EF-G but failed to complement the LJ14frr(ts) mutant. Although proteins comprising subunits of P. falciparum organellar ribosomes are predicted to differ from bacterial and mitoribosomal counterparts, our results indicate that the essential interactions required for recycling are conserved in parasite organelles.Molecular Microbiology 04/2013; · 5.01 Impact Factor -
Article: Genetic differentiation of populations residing in areas of high malaria endemicity in India
Journal of Genetics 04/2012; 88(1):77-80. · 1.09 Impact Factor -
Article: Negative epistasis between α+ thalassaemia and sickle cell trait can explain interpopulation variation in South Asia.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Recent studies in Kenya and Ghana have shown that individuals who inherit two malaria-protective genetic disorders of haemoglobin-α(+) thalassaemia and sickle cell trait-experience a much lower level of malaria protection than those who inherit sickle cell trait alone. We have previously demonstrated that this can limit the frequency of α(+) thalassaemia in a population in which sickle cell is present, which may account for the frequency of α(+) thalassaemia in sub-Saharan Africa not exceeding 50%. Here we consider the relationship between α(+) thalassaemia and sickle cell in South Asian populations, and show that very high levels of α(+) thalassaemia combined with varying levels of malaria selection can explain why sickle cell has penetrated certain South Asian populations but not others.Evolution 12/2011; 65(12):3625-32. · 5.15 Impact Factor -
Article: Deletion of the APOBEC3B gene strongly impacts susceptibility to falciparum malaria.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: APOBEC3B, a gene involved in innate response, exhibits insertion-deletion polymorphism across world populations. We observed the insertion allele to be nearly fixed in malaria endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa as well as populations with high malaria incidence in the past. This prompted us to investigate the possible association of the polymorphism with falciparum malaria. We studied the distribution of APOBEC3B, in 25 diverse Indian populations comprising of 500 samples and 176 severe or non-severe Plasmodium falciparum patients and 174 ethnically-matched uninfected individuals from a P. falciparum endemic and a non-endemic region of India. The deletion frequencies ranged from 0% to 43% in the Indian populations. The frequency of the insertion allele strikingly correlated with the endemicity map of P. falciparum malaria in India. A strong association of the deletion allele with susceptibility to falciparum malaria in the endemic region (non-severe vs. control, Odds ratio=4.96, P value=9.5E(-06); severe vs. control, OR=4.36, P value=5.76E(-05)) was observed. Although the frequency of deletion allele was higher in the non-endemic region, there was a significant association of the homozygous deletion genotype with malaria (OR=3.17, 95% CI=1.10-10.32, P value=0.0177). Our study also presents a case for malaria as a positive selection force for the APOBEC3B insertion and suggests a major role for this gene in innate immunity against malaria.Infection, genetics and evolution: journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases 11/2011; 12(1):142-8. · 3.22 Impact Factor -
Article: Protein translation in Plasmodium parasites.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The protein translation machinery of the parasite Plasmodium is the target of important anti-malarial drugs, and encompasses many promising targets for future drugs. Plasmodium parasites have three subcellular compartments that house genomes; the nucleus, mitochondrion and apicoplast, and each requires its own compartmentalized transcription and translation apparatus for survival. Despite the availability of the complete genome sequence that should reveal the requisite elements for all three compartments, our understanding of the translation machineries is patchy. We review what is known about cytosolic and organellar translation in Plasmodium and discuss the molecules that have been identified through genome sequencing and post-genomic analysis. Some translation components are yet to be found in Plasmodium, whereas others appear to be shared between translationally active organelles.Trends in Parasitology 07/2011; 27(10):467-76. · 5.14 Impact Factor
