Journal article

PfGCN5 is essential for Plasmodium falciparum survival and transmission and regulates Pf H2B.Z acetylation and chromatin structure

J Tang, LM Yeoh, MD Grotz, CD Goodman, SA Chisholm, HHT Nguyen, C Yu, K Pareek, F McPherson, A Cozijnsen, SA Hustadt, GA Josling, KP Day, D Schulz, GI McFadden, TF De Koning-Ward, M Petter, MF Duffy

Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) | Oxford University Press | Published : 2025

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum causes most malaria deaths. Its developmental transitions and environmental adaptation are partially regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Plasmodium falciparum GCN5 (PfGCN5) is an epigenetic regulator that acetylates lysines and can also bind to acetylated lysine residues on histones via its bromodomain (BRD). Here, we showed that PfGCN5 was essential for parasite transmission and survival in human blood and mosquitoes. PfGCN5 regulated genes important for metabolism and development and its BRD was required at euchromatic gene promoters for their proper expression and for acetylation of the variant histone Pf H2B.Z. However, PfGCN5 was most abundant in heterochromatin an..

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