Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in many developing regions worldwide. This disease, transmitted by female mosquitoes, is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which invades the liver and red blood cells. In 2022 alone, malaria was responsible for approximately 608,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Recent research led by Professor Rita Tewari from the School of Life Sciences and Professor Mathieu Brochet at the University of Geneva aims to uncover the unusual multiplication methods of the malaria parasite, with a particular focus on its developmental stages within mosquitoes. The goal? To identify new therapeutic targets that could help combat this deadly disease.
Professor Tewari emphasizes the importance of understanding not just the disease itself, but also how it spreads. “As we learned from COVID-19, controlling the transmission of parasites is crucial. Gaining fundamental knowledge about how the malaria parasite divides in mosquitoes will aid in designing effective interventions.”
One area of focus for the research team is a unique type of cell division seen in the formation of male sex cells. Their recent studies have concentrated on proteins known as kinases—critical regulators of cellular processes that have emerged as major drug targets in the fight against cancer and other diseases. Unfortunately, research on the role of kinases in Plasmodium species has been limited.
The team has recently characterized two specific kinases: ARK2 and NEK1. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, detail how these kinases contribute to the parasite’s multiplication, especially during its transmission stages within mosquitoes.
“Kinases are prime candidates for drug targeting, and understanding their role in parasite transmission is essential,” notes Professor Tewari. “These two studies are a significant step forward in that direction.”
Mohammad Zeeshan and Sarah Pashley, researchers in Professor Tewari’s lab, contributed to this study. Zeeshan, the first author of the paper, states, “NEK1 is a functional protein crucial for various stages of Plasmodium development. Our study reveals that depleting NEK1 from Plasmodium halts its cell division and sexual development. This suggests that NEK1 could be a potential drug target, not only to stop malaria but also to curb its transmission.”
As research continues, these insights could pave the way for innovative strategies to combat malaria, highlighting the importance of tackling both the disease and its spread. Stay tuned for further updates on this vital work.
