Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how the malaria parasite divides its cells, which is essential for spreading this lethal illness. Their findings highlight key factors that control cell division in these parasites.
A research team at the University of Nottingham has discovered how the malaria-causing parasite manages its cell division, which is critical for the transmission of this dangerous disease.
In a recent study published in PLOS Biology, the university’s scientists, along with global colleagues, have identified important regulators that influence how malaria parasites divide.
Malaria poses a significant public health challenge in many developing regions worldwide. It is spread by female mosquitoes that carry the parasite after biting an infected host. According to the World Health Organization, malaria resulted in around 608,000 deaths in 2022. The disease is caused by a single-celled organism known as Plasmodium, which infiltrates the liver and red blood cells.
This groundbreaking research is led by Professor Rita Tewari from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham and Professor Mathieu Brochet from the University of Geneva. The objective is to uncover the unique reproduction method of the malaria parasite, with particular attention to its developmental phases inside the mosquito, aiming to discover new treatment targets.
Professor Tewari stated: “Looking at the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s evident that managing the transmission of parasites is just as vital as controlling the disease itself. Therefore, gaining fundamental insights into how the parasite divides within the mosquito and the mechanisms it employs will aid in designing effective interventions.”
“One notable aspect of cell division happens during the formation of male sex cells. Recently, Professor Tewari’s research team has concentrated on specific proteins known as kinases. Kinases are a group of proteins that play a pivotal role in regulating nearly all cellular activities and have emerged as key drug targets in the battle against cancer and various other diseases. Nonetheless, research regarding these kinases and their role in cell division among Plasmodium species is limited.”
The team has recently characterized two kinases: ARK2 and NEK1. They have published findings detailing how these kinases aid in the multiplication of the parasite, particularly during its transmission stages in mosquitoes.
Professor Tewari concludes: “Kinases are prime candidates for drug targeting, and understanding their function in parasite transmission is crucial. These two studies mark progress in that direction.”
Further details about this discovery can be found in a previous study published in Nature Communications.
Mohammad Zeeshan and Sarah Pashley from Professor Tewari’s lab at Nottingham contributed to this research. The first author, Zeeshan, explained: “NEK1 is an essential protein that plays a significant role in various stages of Plasmodium development. Our research shows that removing the NEK1 protein from Plasmodium halts its cell division and sexual development. This suggests that NEK1 could serve as a promising drug target, not just for stopping malaria but also for preventing its transmission.”
