Plasmodium falciparum Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 4 is Critical for Male Gametogenesis and Transmission to the Mosquito Vector
Sudhir Kumar, Meseret T. Haile, Michael R. Hoopmann, Linh T. Tran, Samantha A. Michaels, Seamus R. Morrone, Kayode K. Ojo, Laura M. Reynolds, Ulrike Kusebauch, Ashley M. Vaughan, Robert L. Moritz, Stefan H. I. Kappe, Kristian E. Swearingen
Abstract
Transmission of the malaria parasite to the mosquito vector is critical for the completion of the sexual stage of the parasite life cycle and is dependent on the release of male gametes from the gametocyte body inside the mosquito midgut. In the present study, we demonstrate that PfCDPK4 is critical for male gametogenesis and is involved in phosphorylation of proteins essential for male gamete emergence. Targeting PfCDPK4 and its substrates may provide insights into achieving effective malaria transmission-blocking strategies.