CORRELATION OF PHOSPHOINOSITIDE HYDROLYSIS WITH EXFLAGELLATION IN THEMALARIA MICROGAMETOCYTE

Cellular responses to growth factors, hormones, and other agonists hav e been shown in many animal cell systems to be mediated by the signal transduction cascade controlled by phospholipase C. One such response, calcium mobilization, is regulated by the concerted effect of several specific inositol (poly)phosphates. Another response, protein phospho rylation, is regulated by other phospholipase C (PLC) hydrolysis produ cts. Mature gametocytes are specialized cells primed for transformatio n into gametes immediately upon removal from the vertebrate bloodstrea m, thereby initiating the sexual cycle in a vector mosquito. This stud y showed that PLC hydrolysis products, inositol (1,4,5)triphosphate an d diacylglycerol, are correlated with the initial events of flagellar development; they are implicated in synchronizing this crucial transfo rmation for the parasite and hence the continued transmission of the p arasite, which leads to this debilitating disease.