Investigation of Plasmodium Condensin Complex in Atypical Cell Division

The condensin complex, composed of 2 SMC subunits (SMC2 and SMC4) and 3 non SMC associated subunits (1 kleisin and 2 HEAT protein ), is well-conserved in eukaryotes and is vital for proper cell division and proliferation. In this study, we identified and characterized in rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, components of the SMC condensin complex. Using live cell imaging immunofluorescence assays, ChIP-seq and RNA-seq experiments as well as protein pulldown fellowed by mass spectrometry and promotor trap experiment to down regulated SMC components, we demonstrated not only the essentiality of the SMC components but atypical mechanisms of mitosis in Plasmodium.