# name
Revisiting the initial steps of sexual development in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

# metadata.dc.description.abstract[].value
Human to vector transmission of malaria requires that
                some blood-stage parasites abandon asexual growth and convert
                into non-replicating sexual forms called gametocytes. The
                initial steps of gametocytogenesis remain largely
                uncharacterized. Here, we study this part of the malaria life
                cycle in Plasmodium falciparum using PfAP2-G, the master
                regulator of sexual conversion, as a marker of commitment. We
                demonstrate the existence of PfAP2-G-positive sexually committed
                parasite stages that precede the previously known committed
                schizont stage. We also found that sexual conversion can occur
                by two different routes: the previously described route in which
                PfAP2-G-expressing parasites complete a replicative cycle as
                committed forms before converting into gametocytes upon
                re-invasion, or a direct route with conversion within the same
                cycle as initial PfAP2-G expression. The latter route is linked
                to early PfAP2-G expression in ring stages. Reanalysis of
                published single-cell RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data confirmed
                the presence of both routes. Consistent with these results,
                using plaque assays we observed that, in contrast to the
                prevailing model, many schizonts produced mixed plaques
                containing both asexual parasites and gametocytes. Altogether,
                our results reveal unexpected features of the initial steps of
                sexual development and extend the current view of this part of
                the malaria life cycle.

# metadata.dc.relation.isformatof[].value
Versió postprint del document publicat a: http://dx.doi.org/
                10.1038/s41564-018-0291-7

# metadata.dc.source[].value
Articles publicats en revistes (ISGlobal)

# metadata.dc.title[].value
Revisiting the initial steps of sexual development in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum