Inserm, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), IBMC, F-67000, Strasbourg, France.
Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Philipps University Marburg, 35037, Marburg, Germany.
Malar J. 2024 Apr 20;23(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s12936-024-04936-9.
The use of fluorescent proteins (FPs) in Plasmodium parasites has been key to understand the biology of this obligate intracellular protozoon. FPs like the green fluorescent protein (GFP) enabled to explore protein localization, promoter activity as well as dynamic processes like protein export and endocytosis. Furthermore, FP biosensors have provided detailed information on physiological parameters at the subcellular level, and fluorescent reporter lines greatly extended the malariology toolbox. Still, in order to achieve optimal results, it is crucial to know exactly the properties of the FP of choice and the genetic scenario in which it will be used. This review highlights advantages and disadvantages of available landing sites and promoters that have been successfully applied for the ectopic expression of FPs in Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium falciparum. Furthermore, the properties of newly developed FPs beyond DsRed and EGFP, in the visualization of cells and cellular structures as well as in the sensing of small molecules are discussed.
荧光蛋白（FPs）在疟原虫中的应用是理解这种专性细胞内原生动物生物学的关键。绿色荧光蛋白（GFP）等 FPs 使我们能够探索蛋白质定位、启动子活性以及蛋白质输出和内吞等动态过程。此外，FP 生物传感器提供了亚细胞水平上生理参数的详细信息，荧光报告系极大地扩展了疟疾学工具包。尽管如此，为了获得最佳结果，确切了解所选 FP 的特性以及它将在其中使用的遗传情况至关重要。本文综述了在伯氏疟原虫和恶性疟原虫中异位表达 FPs 时已成功应用的现有着陆位点和启动子的优缺点。此外，还讨论了新开发的 FPs 在细胞和细胞结构可视化以及小分子传感方面的除 DsRed 和 EGFP 之外的特性。
