Duplication of a Type-P5B-ATPase in <i>Laverania</i> and Avian Malaria Parasites and Implications About the Evolution of <i>Plasmodium</i>

Two related P-type ATPases, designated as ATPase1 and ATPase3, were identified in <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>. These two ATPases exhibit very similar gene and protein structures and are most similar to P5B-ATPases. There are some differences in the predicted substrate-binding sites of A...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mark F. Wiser
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Parasitologia
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6772/5/1/6
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Summary:Two related P-type ATPases, designated as ATPase1 and ATPase3, were identified in <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>. These two ATPases exhibit very similar gene and protein structures and are most similar to P5B-ATPases. There are some differences in the predicted substrate-binding sites of ATPase1 and ATPase3 that suggest different functions for these two ATPases. Orthologues of ATPase3 were identified in all <i>Plasmodium</i> species, including the related <i>Hepatocystis</i> and <i>Haemoproteus</i>. ATPase3 orthologues could also be identified in all apicomplexan species, but no clear orthologues were identified outside of the Apicomplexa. In contrast, ATPase1 orthologues were only found in the <i>Laverania</i>, avian <i>Plasmodium</i> species, and <i>Haemoproteus</i>. ATPase1 likely arose from a duplication of the ATPase3 gene early in the evolution of malaria parasites. These results support a model in which early malaria parasites split into two clades. One clade consists of mammalian malaria parasites and <i>Hepatocystis</i> but excludes <i>P. falciparum</i> and related <i>Laverania</i>. The other clade includes <i>Haemoproteus</i>, avian <i>Plasmodium</i> species, and <i>Laverania</i>. This contrasts to recent models that suggest all mammalian malaria parasites form a monophyletic group, and all avian malaria parasites form a separate monophyletic group. ATPase1 may be a useful taxonomic/phylogenetic character for the phylogeny of Haemosporidia.
ISSN:2673-6772