Functional Characterization of the m6A-Dependent Translational Modulator PfYTH.2 in the Human Malaria Parasite.

Abstract

Posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression is central to the development and replication of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, within its human host. The timely coordination of RNA maturation, homeostasis, and protein synthesis relies on the recruitment of specific RNA-binding proteins to their cognate target mRNAs. One possible mediator of such mRNA-protein interactions is the N6-methylation of adenosines (m6A), a prevalent mRNA modification of parasite mRNA transcripts. Here, we used RNA protein pulldowns, RNA modification mass spectrometry, and quantitative proteomics to identify two P. falciparum YTH domain proteins (PfYTH.1 and PfYTH.2) as m6A-binding proteins during pa..