Plasmodium parasites, the protozoan parasite which causes malaria, have a complicated life cycle within two vectors. Our interests are centered on two important aspects of early development within the mosquito vector: male gametocyte development and ookinete motility.

The study on male gametocyte development is aimed at identifying gene products which are essential for this complex and little known process. Bioinformatics is used to identify genes expressed at this stage. Further analysis uses a combination of expression analysis, reverse genetics, and advanced microscopy techniques to elucidate the role of candidates.

The ookinete uses its own motile system to invade and traverse the midgut epithelial cells, employing an unusual kind of gliding motility. Elucidation of the mechanism can open the way for interference with this essential process. It is now clear that motility is driven by an unusual acto-myosin motor and that this is a regulated process. We are interested in identifying additional proteins of importance for motility, with the aim of understanding how the functional motor is organized and assembled.

Selected Publications

Siden-Kiamos I, Louis C, Matuschewski K. (2011) Evidence for filamentous actin in ookinetes of a malarial parasite. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 181: 186-9.

Deligianni E, Morgan RN, Bertuccini L, Kooij TW, Laforge A, Nahar C, Poulakakis N, Schüler H, Louis C, Matuschewski K, Siden-Kiamos I. (2011) Critical role for a stage-specific actin in male exflagellation of the malaria parasite. Cell Microbiol. 13: 1714-30.

Siden-Kiamos I, Ganter M, Kunze A, Hliscs M, Steinbüchel M, Mendoza J, Sinden RE, Louis C, Matuschewski, K. (2011) Stage-specific Depletion of Myosin A Supports an Essential Role in Motility of Malarial Ookinetes. Cell Microbiol. 13: 1996-2006.

Siden-Kiamos, I., Schuler, H., Liakopoulos D., Louis C. (2010) An actin-related protein, in Plasmodium berghei. Mol Biochem Parasitol 173: 88-96.

Siden-Kiamos, I., Ecker, A., Nyback, S., Louis, C., Sinden, R.E.S., Billker, O. (2006) Plasmodium berghei Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase 3 is required for ookinete gliding motility and mosquito midgut invasion. Mol. Microbiol. 60: 1355-63.