Characterization of a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase from Plasmodium falciparum

A mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase gene, PfMAP, from Plasmodium falciparum was recently identified. We expressed this gene in Escherichia coli to test whether it encodes a functional MAP kinase. Recombinant PfMAP kinase autophosphorylates on both the tyrosine and threonine residues within the TXY motif, and readily phosphorylates myelin basic protein as exogenous substrate. This identifies the PfMAP gene product as a true member of the growing family of MAP kinases. Wild-type PfMAP kinase expressed in COS-7 (SV40 transformed African green monkey kidney) cells seemed to induce apoptosis in these cells. Western blots and immunoprecipitations indicated that the kinase is expressed during the growth of the parasite in the red blood cell as three major forms: truncated forms with apparent molecular masses of 40 kDa and 80 kDa, and as a protein of ≈150 kDa. The 40 kDa form is present throughout the intraerythrocytic development, whereas the two larger forms are only detected in mature parasites. The 40 kDa and 80 kDa forms are tyrosine phosphorylated, indicating that they represent the active forms of the PfMAP kinase. The total PfMAP kinase activity constantly increases with the maturation of the parasite.