Ultrastructure and function of mitochondria in gametocytic stage ofPlasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Summary :Morphological properties of the mitochondrial organelles in the asexual and sexual gametocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum KEY WORDS :Plasmodium falciparum, gametocyte, mitochondria, electron transport system, oxygen consumption. Résumé : ULTRASTRUCTURE ET FONCTION DES MITOCHONDRIES AU STADE GAMÉTOCYTE DE PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM Les morphologies et les propriétés des organelles mitochondriales des stades asexués et sexués (gametocytes) de

The Plasmodium falciparum sexual development transcriptome: A microarray analysis using ontology-based pattern identification

“…sexual blood stage parasites are remarkably distinct morphologically, with ultrastructural studies showing that P. falciparum gametocytes contain multiple (4-8) mitochondria with a relatively high density of cristae, whereas the single mitochondrion of asexual parasites have relatively few cristae [34,35]. These sexual stage mitochondria are thought to be functionally active, since anti-malarials that appear to target the parasite electron transport chain show some efficacy against gametocytes [34].…”

“…These sexual stage mitochondria are thought to be functionally active, since anti-malarials that appear to target the parasite electron transport chain show some efficacy against gametocytes [34]. Moreover, while the asexual stages of the parasite life cycle in the human host rely heavily on glucose for the production of energy by fermentation, it has been proposed that a switch to aerobic mitochondria-driven energy production occurs during the more oxygen-rich mosquito sexual stages, coinciding with the appearance of more cristate mitochondria during these stages [35][36][37].…”

Antimalarial Iron Chelator FBS0701 Blocks Transmission by Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Activation Inhibition

“…These stages would be exposed to the drug present in the ingested blood meal for a period of ϳ16 to 24 h when the ookinete invades and traverses the midgut epithelium to form an oocyst on the basal side of the midgut. These results are surprising, since it is suggested that the transition of malaria to the mosquito host is accompanied by an increase in mitochondrial activity, including in the TCA cycle and the electron transport chain, which requires iron for proper function (16,31,32,(36)(37)(38)(39). As proposed for stage V gametocytes, FBS0701 is expected to chelate the iron required for mitochondrial function during parasite development in the mosquito midgut lumen.…”

“…Iron requirements may increase during Plasmodium gametocytogenesis. The tricarboxylic acid cycle becomes more active, which produces succinyl coenzyme A (CoA) for heme biosynthesis instead of the full oxidation of glucose (15)(16)(17). P. falciparum cytochrome b, which binds two heme molecules, has an increased expression of several-fold in the sexual stages compared to that in the asexual stages (18).…”

Parasite Mitochondria as a Target for Chemotherapy.

“…Sexually differentiated gametocytes contain about six mitochondria per cell, and the number of mitochondria is larger in females than males. 78) Changes in the morphology and number of mitochondria in the life cycle including sporozoites are interesting subject in relation to its physiological significance.…”