Plasmodium LCCL domain-containing modular proteins have their origins in the ancestral alveolate

De Hoest-Thompson, C; Marugan-Hernandez, V; Dessens, JT

doi:10.1098/rsob.230451

Plasmodium LCCL domain-containing modular proteins have their origins in the ancestral alveolate

De Hoest-Thompson, C; Marugan-Hernandez, V; Dessens, JT

Authors

C De Hoest-Thompson

V Marugan-Hernandez

JT Dessens

Abstract

Plasmodium species encode a unique set of six modular proteins named LCCL lectin domain adhesive-like proteins (LAPs) that operate as a complex and that are essential for malaria parasite transmission from mosquito to vertebrate. LAPs possess complex architectures obtained through unique assemblies of conserved domains associated with lipid, protein and carbohydrate interactions, including the name-defining LCCL domain. Here, we assessed the prevalence of Plasmodium LAP orthologues across eukaryotic life. Our findings show orthologous conservation in all apicomplexans, with lineage-specific repertoires acquired through differential lap gene loss and duplication. Besides Apicomplexa, LAPs are found in their closest relatives: the photosynthetic chromerids, which encode the broadest repertoire including a novel membrane-bound LCCL protein. LAPs are notably absent from other alveolate lineages (dinoflagellates, perkinsids and ciliates), but are encoded by predatory colponemids, a sister group to the alveolates. These results reveal that the LAPs are much older than previously thought and pre-date not only the Apicomplexa but the Alveolata altogether.

Citation

De Hoest-Thompson, C., Marugan-Hernandez, V., & Dessens, J. (2024). Plasmodium LCCL domain-containing modular proteins have their origins in the ancestral alveolate. Open Biology, 14(6), https://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.230451

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Apr 27, 2024
Online Publication Date	Jun 12, 2024
Publication Date	2024
Deposit Date	Jul 17, 2024
Publicly Available Date	Jul 17, 2024
Print ISSN	2046-2441
Electronic ISSN	2046-2441
Publisher	The Royal Society
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	14
Issue	6
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.230451
Keywords	malaria; Apicomplexa; Alveolata; Colpenemida; TRANSLATIONAL REPRESSION; APICOMPLEXAN; FALCIPARUM; EXPRESSION; FAMILY