Exosome: The Survival Key of Malaria Parasite Through Promoting Plasmodium-Anopheles Interaction

The malaria parasite´s survival depends on its life cycle in human and mosquito. Plasmodium falciparum renders human more attractive to mosquito, increasing the risk of transmission.

I have shown that a Plasmodium-metabolite (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate affects mosquito attraction by causing erythrocytes to release more salient volatile molecules.

Moreover, one known communication mechanism the malaria parasite employs to persist within human is the release of multipurpose extracellular vesicles.

We hypothesise that P. falciparum exosomes (PfEXOs) play a role in communication between parasite and mosquito. (1:Months1-15) The first aim is to analyse the PfEXOs´ cargos, metabolome and volatile compounds (Volatome); (2:Months12-36) another aim is to evaluate transcriptome, proteome profiles, and 3D-behaviour-videography of the vector exposed/fed on PfEXOs; (3:Months 33-48); furthermore, we evaluate the effect of PfEXOs on parasite fitness; and (4:Months 49-55) finally, we determine the effect of PfEXOs-blends (volatile bioactive compounds) on African vectors’ behaviour in the enclosed hemisphere, and (5:Months 55-60) mosquito population suppression in field-setting.

The insight gained during the project might significantly change prevailing thought in pathogen-vector signalling biology, revealing the pathogen´s unique mechanism to coordinate its transmission/survival. This project may lead to novel ways to decrease mosquito biting and hence reduce mortality.