{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Vector Signals","title":"Malaria Transmission: Parasite and Vector Circadian Clock Coordination (April 2025)","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/b4ad09ff\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":963,"description":"Parasite and Vector Circadian Clocks Mediate Efficient Malaria TransmissionSource: Bento et al., \"Parasite and vector circadian clocks mediate efficient malaria transmission,\" Nature Microbiology, Published online 31 March 2025, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-025-01949-1Date: Received: 03 September 2024 | Accepted: 26 March 2025 | Published: 04 April 2025Key Themes:This study uncovers a critical tripartite relationship between the Anopheles mosquito vector, the Plasmodium malaria parasite, and the mammalian host, highlighting the significant role of their respective circadian clocks in mediating efficient malaria transmission. The research demonstrates that both the mosquito salivary glands and the resident sporozoite parasite exhibit substantial circadian transcriptional activity, preparing them for the nocturnal blood-feeding behavior of the mosquito and subsequent host infection. The alignment of these circadian rhythms, particularly during nighttime, is shown to be crucial for maximizing transmission efficiency.Most Important Ideas and Facts:Circadian Rhythms in Mosquito Salivary Glands:Approximately half of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito salivary gland transcriptome displays circadian expression.Genes essential for efficient bloodmeals, such as those encoding anti-blood clotting factors (e.g., anophelin/cEF, aegyptin), vasodilators (Peroxidase 5B), and anti-inflammatory proteins (D7 long form L2), exhibit rhythmic expression, peaking around the times when mosquitoes prefer to feed.The study found that mosquitoes prefer to feed and ingest more blood at nighttime, as demonstrated by higher hemoglobin levels in their midguts after nocturnal feeding (\"measuring haemoglobin levels, we demonstrate that mosquitos prefer to feed and ingest more blood at nighttime\").Circadian clock genes (Clock, Cycle, Period, Vrille) are also rhythmically expressed in the salivary glands, suggesting an internal clock regulating these transcriptional changes.This rhythmic...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/qJYlR2Phxe3IMx6KHnsmKp1D71DIqj8LuYMSrDKo9Jc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82MDgx/MDIyNmJkNWU5YmIz/NzJhZDVmZjYyOGZi/NTgxMi53ZWJw.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}