Last Updated: 20/06/2023

Mosquito SAMSP1 and SAMSP2 influence the initial stage of Plasmodium infection of mice

Objectives

To examine the importance of sporozoite-associated mosquito saliva protein (SAMSP) 1 and SAMPS2 in influencing the initial stage of Plasmodium infection in mice.

Principal Institution

Yale University, United States

Principal Investigators / Focal Persons

George Dimopoulos
Erol Fikrig

Rationale and Abstract

This proposal will elucidate how two specific proteins in mosquito saliva influence the early stage of Plasmodium infection in mice. The group previously developed a general screen to identify proteins in Anopheles gambiae saliva that associate with sporozoites during movement out the mosquito and deposition into the skin of a mammalian host (Schleicher Graham TR, Yang J, Freudzon M, Rembisz A, Craft S, Hamilton M, M, Mlambo G, Tripathi AK, Li Y, Cresswell P, Sinnis P, Dimopoulos G, Fikrig E. Nat Commun. 2018 25;9(1):2908). Several proteins were identified, including sporozoite-associated mosquito saliva protein (SAMSP) 1 and SAMSP2. Preliminary data shows that SAMSP1 plays a role in facilitating Plasmodium infection in mice and that SAMSP2 has immunomodulatory activity. Gene silencing and antibody blocking studies will assess the role of these proteins in the early stages of murine infection. In vivo two-photon microscopy of the dermis, and in vitro assays to assess movement and immune modulation, will delineate the effects of SAMSP1 and SAMSP2 on sporozoite activity. Understanding the importance of SAMSP1 and SAMSP2 in Plasmodium infection will hopefully lead to new strategies to combat malaria.

Thematic Categories

Basic Science

Date

Apr 2021 — Mar 2026

Total Project Funding

$2.47M

Project Site

United States

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