Plasmodium falciparum GBP2 Is a Telomere-Associated Protein That Binds to G-Quadruplex DNA and RNA
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jats:pIn the early-diverging protozoan parasite jats:italicPlasmodium</jats:italic>, few telomere-binding proteins have been identified and several are unique. jats:italicPlasmodium</jats:italic> telomeres, like those of most eukaryotes, contain guanine-rich repeats that can form G-quadruplex structures. In model systems, quadruplex-binding drugs can disrupt telomere maintenance and some quadruplex-binding drugs are potent anti-plasmodial agents. Therefore, telomere-interacting and quadruplex-interacting proteins may offer new targets for anti-malarial therapy. Here, we report that jats:italicP. falciparum</jats:italic> GBP2 is such a protein. It was identified jats:italicvia</jats:italic> ‘Proteomics of Isolated Chromatin fragments’, applied here for the first time in jats:italicPlasmodium</jats:italic>. jats:italicIn vitro</jats:italic>, jats:italicPf</jats:italic>GBP2 binds specifically to G-rich telomere repeats in quadruplex form and it can also bind to G-rich RNA. jats:italicIn vivo</jats:italic>, jats:italicPf</jats:italic>GBP2 partially colocalises with the known telomeric protein HP1 but is also found in the cytoplasm, probably due to its affinity for RNA. Consistently, its interactome includes numerous RNA-associated proteins. jats:italicPf</jats:italic>GBP2 is evidently a multifunctional DNA/RNA-binding factor in jats:italicPlasmodium</jats:italic>.</jats:p>