Transcription Factor 25 Modulates Gametocytogenesis in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum [RNA-Seq]

This study elucidates the role of TCF25 as a transcriptional regulator orchestrating sexual conversion in Plasmodium falciparum. Through generation of isogenic tcf25_ko parasite lines, we performed comparative transcriptomic analysis of synchronized ring-stage and schizont-stage parasites (WT vs knockout). Our data demonstrate that tcf25 deletion causes significant dysregulation of both gametocytogenesis-associated genes and antigenic variation gene families. TCF25 directly binds a sexual conversion regulator ap2-g4. These results indicate TCF25 as an essential upstream regulator of malaria parasite sexual development and potential transmission-blocking target. Overall design: RNA-seq profiling was performed on Plasmodium falciparum at distinct intraerythrocytic stages (ring and schizont).