DHHC2 directs ISP1/3 palmitoylation and ookinete differentiation DHHC2 directs ISP1/3 palmitoylation and ookinete differentiation. H. IFA of ISP1 and ISP3 in zygotes of TTS and dhhc2kd. Scale bar = 5 mm. The dhhc2kd parasite displayed a developmental arrest at early stages with no formation of mature ookinetes. L. IFA of DHHC2 and ISP1 in zygotes of dhhc2kd parasites complemented with 4Myc-tagged WT PyDHHC2 of P. yoelii, PfDHHC2 of P. falciparum, or PyDHHC2 with PAT catalytic-deficient mutation C128A. Scale bar = 5 mm. We introduced DHHC2 from either P. yoelii or P. falciparum back to the dhhc2kd parasite by episomal expression. Both PyDHHC2 and PfDHHC2 proteins showed polarized localization and restored the polarized localization of ISP1 in zygotes of the complemented parasites O. Model of DHHC2-mediated palmitoylation of ISP1 and ISP3 in zygote.

Wang X, Qian P, Cui H, Yao L, Yuan J. A protein palmitoylation cascade regulates microtubule cytoskeleton integrity in Plasmodium. EMBO J. 202012:e104168.