Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41084330›Full record

ArticleFEBS letters2026

Plasmodium falciparum gametogenesis essential protein 1 (GEP1) is a transmission-blocking target.

Frederik Huppertz, Milagros Siebeck Caturelli, Lina S Lehmann, Florian Kurth, Alexander G Maier, Kai Matuschewski

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in FEBS letters, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Frederik HuppertzDepartment of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-3436-5425
Milagros Siebeck CaturelliDepartment of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
Lina S LehmannDepartment of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
Florian KurthDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
Alexander G MaierResearch School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-7369-1058
Kai MatuschewskiDepartment of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-6147-8591

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft IRTG2290
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Transmission of Plasmodium parasites to Anopheles mosquitoes relies on rapid activation of mature gametocytes in the midgut, triggered by a temperature drop and xanthurenic acid. In Plasmodium yoelii, the gametogenesis essential protein 1 (GEP1) was linked to xanthurenic acid (XA)-dependent gamete activation. We characterized GEP1 in Plasmodium falciparum using CRISPR-Cas9 to create PfGEP1 loss-of-function lines. These lines failed to undergo male or female gametogenesis, even when stimulated by XA or a temperature drop. The defect persisted despite treatment with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor Zaprinast. Analysis of field samples revealed two GEP1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (V241L and S263P) in 12% and 20% of 49 cases. Our findings confirm GEP1's essential role in gamete activation, highlight an XA-independent function, and support its potential as a transmission-blocking target. Impact statement For sustainable malaria control, transmission-blocking drug targets are urgently needed. Work in murine models showed that GEP1 is a candidate. We show complete block of life cycle progression of the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum when GEP1 is deleted, warranting targeted drug development to achieve gamete-free mosquito blood meals.

Indexed as

GametogenesisMalaria, FalciparumPlasmodium falciparumProtozoan ProteinsAnimalsAnophelesCRISPR-Cas SystemsFemaleHumansMaleMicePolymorphism, Single NucleotideXanthurenatesProtozoan ProteinsXanthurenatesxanthurenic acidexflagellationgametogenesismalariaPlasmodiumtransmissiontransport protein

Identifiers

PMID41084330
PMCPMC12834003

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.