Single-cell RNA sequencing of Plasmodium vivax sporozoites reveals stage- and species-specific transcriptomic signatures

Ruberto, AA; Bourke, C; Vantaux, A; Maher, SP; Jex, A; Witkowski, B; Snounou, G; Mueller, I

Author(s): Ruberto, AA; Bourke, C; Vantaux, A; Maher, SP; Jex, A; Witkowski, B; Snounou, G; Mueller, I;
Details: Publication Year 2022-08-04,Volume 16,Issue #8,Page e0010633
Journal Title: PLOS Neglected Tropical DIseases
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Plasmodium vivax sporozoites reside in the salivary glands of a mosquito before infecting a human host and causing malaria. Previous transcriptome-wide studies in populations of these parasite forms were limited in their ability to elucidate cell-to-cell variation, thereby masking cellular states potentially important in understanding malaria transmission outcomes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we performed transcription profiling on 9,947 P. vivax sporozoites to assess the extent to which they differ at single-cell resolution. We show that sporozoites residing in the mosquito's salivary glands exist in distinct developmental states, as defined by their transcriptomic signatures. Additionally, relative to P. falciparum, P. vivax displays overlapping and unique gene usage patterns, highlighting conserved and species-specific gene programs. Notably, distinguishing P. vivax from P. falciparum were a subset of P. vivax sporozoites expressing genes associated with translational regulation and repression. Finally, our comparison of single-cell transcriptomic data from P. vivax sporozoite and erythrocytic forms reveals gene usage patterns unique to sporozoites. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In defining the transcriptomic signatures of individual P. vivax sporozoites, our work provides new insights into the factors driving their developmental trajectory and lays the groundwork for a more comprehensive P. vivax cell atlas.
Publisher: PLOS
Research Division(s): Population Health And Immunity
PubMed ID: 35926062
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010633
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010633
NHMRC Grants: NHMRC/1092789, NHMRC/1134989,
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2022-08-08 09:15:57

Last Modified: 2022-08-25 09:13:49