The alternative histones Pf H2A.Z and Pf H2B.Z are dynamically acetylated and antagonized by PfSir2 histone deacetylases at heterochromatin boundaries.

The malaria parasite relies on variant expression of members of multi-gene families as a strategy for environmental adaptation to promote parasite survival and pathogenesis. These genes are located in transcriptionally silenced DNA regions. A limited number of these genes escape gene silencing, and switching between them confers variant fitness on parasite progeny.

The exception that proves the rule: Virulence gene expression at the onset of Plasmodium falciparum blood stage infections.

Controlled human malaria infections (CHMI) are a valuable tool to study parasite gene expression in vivo under defined conditions. In previous studies, virulence gene expression was analyzed in samples from volunteers infected with the Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) NF54 isolate, which is of African origin. Here, we provide an in-depth investigation of parasite virulence gene expression in malaria-naïve European volunteers undergoing CHMI with the genetically distinct Pf 7G8 clone, originating in Brazil.

Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes display global chromatin remodelling during sexual differentiation.

Background: The protozoan malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has a complex life cycle during which it needs to differentiate into multiple morphologically distinct life forms. A key process for transmission of the disease is the development of male and female gametocytes in the human blood, yet the mechanisms determining sexual dimorphism in these haploid, genetically identical sexual precursor cells remain largely unknown. To understand the epigenetic program underlying the differentiation of male and female gametocytes, we separated the two sexual forms by flow cytometry and performed RNAseq as well as comprehensive ChIPseq profiling of several histone variants and modifications.

The Putative Bromodomain Protein PfBDP7 of the Human Malaria Parasite Cooperates With PfBDP1 in the Silencing of Variant Surface Antigen Expression.

Epigenetic regulation is a critical mechanism in controlling virulence, differentiation, and survival of the human malaria parasite . Bromodomain proteins contribute to this process by binding to acetylated lysine residues of histones and thereby targeting the gene regulatory machinery to gene promoters. A protein complex containing the bromodomain proteins (PfBDP) 1 and PfBDP2 (BDP1/BDP2 core complex) was previously shown to play an essential role for the correct transcription of invasion related genes.

The Coxiella burnetii T4SS effector protein AnkG hijacks the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex for reprogramming host cell transcription.

Inhibition of host cell apoptosis is crucial for survival and replication of several intracellular bacterial pathogens. To interfere with apoptotic pathways, some pathogens use specialized secretion systems to inject bacterial effector proteins into the host cell cytosol. One of these pathogens is the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever.

Automated detection and staging of malaria parasites from cytological smears using convolutional neural networks.

Microscopic examination of blood smears remains the gold standard for laboratory inspection and diagnosis of malaria. Smear inspection is, however, time-consuming and dependent on trained microscopists with results varying in accuracy. We sought to develop an automated image analysis method to improve accuracy and standardization of smear inspection that retains capacity for expert confirmation and image archiving.

ApiAP2 Transcription Factors in Apicomplexan Parasites.

Apicomplexan parasites are protozoan organisms that are characterised by complex life cycles and they include medically important species, such as the malaria parasite and the causative agents of toxoplasmosis () and cryptosporidiosis ( spp.). Apicomplexan parasites can infect one or more hosts, in which they differentiate into several morphologically and metabolically distinct life cycle stages.