2019
Comparative 3D genome organization in apicomplexan parasites
Bunnik EM, Venkat A, Shao J, McGovern KE, Batugedara G, Worth D, Prudhomme J, Lapp SA, Andolina C, Ross LS, Lawres L, Brady D, Sinnis P, Nosten F, Fidock DA, Wilson EH, Tewari R, Galinski MR, Ben Mamoun C, Ay F, Le Roch KG. Comparative 3D genome organization in apicomplexan parasites. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2019, 116: 3183-3192. PMID: 30723152, PMCID: PMC6386730, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1810815116.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome organizationGene expressionApicomplexan parasitesVirulence genesSpatial genome organizationPositioning of chromosomesRelated apicomplexan parasitesVirulence gene clusterClustering of centromeresHi-C experimentsStrong repressive effectHuman malaria parasiteChromosome foldingEukaryotic cellsGene familyGene clusterGenome modelGenomeGene clusteringMore virulent pathogensNuclear spaceRepressive effectGenesAntigenic variationVirulent pathogens
2015
Characterization of Plasmodium phosphatidylserine decarboxylase expressed in yeast and application for inhibitor screening
Choi JY, Kumar V, Pachikara N, Garg A, Lawres L, Toh J, Voelker DR, Ben Mamoun C. Characterization of Plasmodium phosphatidylserine decarboxylase expressed in yeast and application for inhibitor screening. Molecular Microbiology 2015, 99: 999-1014. PMID: 26585333, PMCID: PMC4898484, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13280.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClass of enzymesDevelopment of antimicrobialsYeast genesMembrane biogenesisEukaryotic pathogensProenzyme processingMammalian cellsPhosphatidylserine decarboxylasePSD activityPhospholipid biosynthesisParasite enzymeEssential functionsGenetic studiesMetabolic analysisAmino acidsDecarboxylase enzymePhosphatidylethanolamine synthesisPosition 40Inhibitor screeningEssential roleYeastEnzymePlasmodium falciparumSuitable targetNovel class
2014
Plasmodium yoelii Vitamin B5 Pantothenate Transporter Candidate is Essential for Parasite Transmission to the Mosquito
Hart RJ, Lawres L, Fritzen E, Mamoun C, Aly AS. Plasmodium yoelii Vitamin B5 Pantothenate Transporter Candidate is Essential for Parasite Transmission to the Mosquito. Scientific Reports 2014, 4: 5665. PMID: 25012929, PMCID: PMC4092334, DOI: 10.1038/srep05665.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual blood stage developmentYeast cellsLife cycle stagesNon-photosynthetic cellsParasite plasma membraneMultiple parasite life cycle stagesParasite life cycle stagesBlood stage developmentPantothenate transportGene-targeting techniquesHuman malaria parasiteCycle stagesFunctional complementationPAT inhibitorsPlasma membraneSporozoite formationTransporter candidatesVivo functionOocyst stageP. falciparuminParasite transmissionPantothenate concentrationPantothenate uptakeCoenzyme AMalaria parasites