Expression profiles of peroxiredoxins in liver stage of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei

mRNA and protein expression profiles for three peroxiredoxins (TPx-1, TPx-2 and 1-Cys Prx) of liver stage Plasmodium berghei were examined through quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy assay (IFA). RT-PCR experiments revealed that mRNA expression for the TPx-1 was detected shortly after the sporozoite infection and kept expressed until the schizont stage. In contrast, the mRNA expression for 1-Cys Prx had begun increasing when the parasite developed into the schizont stage. Using the IFA, TPx-1 and 1-Cys Prx were detected in the cytosol. This finding suggested the developmental stage-specific expression of the cytosolic enzymes in the liver stage parasite. On the other hand, the mRNA expression for TPx-2 had begun increasing at the trophozoite stage and peaked at the schizont stage. In the IFA, TPx-2 was found localized in the mitochondria. The increase of TPx-2 might be explained by the exponential development of the parasite during the schizont stage requiring ATP production which may induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria.

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► The expression profiles for peroxiredoxins of liver stage P. berghei were examined.
► TPx-1 and 1-Cys Prx are localized in the cytosol while TPx-2 is in the mitochondria.
► RT-PCR result shows constant expression of TPx-1 during the liver stage parasites.
► 1-Cys Prx began increasing when the parasite developed into the schizont stage.
► TPx-2 began increasing at the trophozoite stage and peaked at the schizont stage.