Biology subjects

Horackova, V.

Publications and source records attributed to Horackova, V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Protein landscape of the chromatin states in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Epigenetic regulation is essential for development and adaptation across eukaryotes. However, a comprehensive overview of the molecular framework of chromatin-mediated regulation, particularly in non-model organisms, is lacking. Here, we present a systematic proteomic characterization of the chromatin states in P. falciparum, an ancient human pathogen with unique genome composition and epigenetic blueprint. We adapted and systematically employed three proximity-labelling approaches to provide a high-confidence and comprehensive proteome of heterochromatin, euchromatin and (peri)centromeric chromatin comprised of 214 proteins, including both expected and new chromatin components. Characterization of 20 proteins validated our approach and i) uncovered a protein influencing parasite transmission, ii) defined complexes relevant for histone variant exchange and chromatin-RNA interactions and iii) provided evidence for the so far believed to be absent spindle assembly checkpoint and the corresponding Bub1-like kinase. This study hence offers a reference proteome of the chromatin states and a resource to uncover novel chromatin biology.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

A bridge-like lipid transfer protein is critical for generation of invasive stages in malaria parasites

Malaria blood stages build and maintain an intricate system of membranes during their cycle of rapid growth and schizogony (daughter-cell formation), requiring precise mechanisms of lipid synthesis and trafficking. Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) at ER membrane contact sites (MCSs) have emerged as key for lipid distribution processes but remain largely unexplored in protozoans. Here we use the ER adaptor VAP to identify essential mechanisms of lipid transfer at ER-MCSs in P. falciparum. One PfVAP-interacting LTP was the bridge-like PfVPS13L1, which allows bulk flow of lipids between two apposed membranes. PfVPS13L1 bridges the ER with the nascent inner membrane complex (IMC), a de novo-generated organelle required for schizogony. Its loss-of-function reduced IMC growth and led to smaller anucleated progeny, impairing schizogony. Our data supports a model in which VPS13L1 is critical for the formation of apicomplexan invasive stages by mediating bulk transfer of lipids from the ER to the growing IMC.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Cas9-mediated genome editing in Giardia intestinalis

CRISPR/Cas9 system is an extremely powerful technique that is extensively used for various genome modifications in different organisms including parasitic protists. Giardia intestinalis, a protist parasite infecting about 280 million people around the world each year, has been eluding the routine use of CRISPR/Cas9 for generating knock-out cell lines due to the presence of four copies of each gene in its two nuclei. Apart from single exception employing rather laborious Cre/loxP system, no full knock-out cell line has been established yet. In this work, we show the ability of in-vitro assembled CRISPR/Cas9 components to successfully edit the genome of G. intestinalis. We further established a cell line stably expressing Cas9 in both G. intestinalis nuclei. Subsequent introduction of a template for homologous recombination containing the transcription units for the resistance marker and gRNA resulted in the removal of all gene copies at once for three independent experimental genes, mem, cwp1 and mlf1. The method was also applicable for the incomplete disruption of an essential gene, as documented by markedly decreased expression of tom40. Finally, testing the efficiency of Cas9-induced recombination revealed that homologous arms as short as 150 bp can be sufficient to establish a full knock-out cell line in G. intestinalis.

cell biology↗