@article{fdi:010086723,
  title = {{A} transcriptional switch controls sex determination in {P}lasmodium falciparum},
  author = {{G}omes, {A}. {R}. and {M}arin-{M}enendez, {A}. and {A}djalley, {S}. {H}. and {B}ardy, {C}{\'e}lia and {C}assan, {C}{\'e}cile and {L}ee, {M}. {C}. {S}. and {T}alman, {A}rthur},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}exual reproduction and meiotic sex are deeply rooted in the eukaryotic tree of life, but mechanisms determining sex or mating types are extremely varied and are only well characterized in a few model organisms(1). {I}n malaria parasites, sexual reproduction coincides with transmission to the vector host. {S}ex determination is non-genetic, with each haploid parasite capable of producing either a male or a female gametocyte in the human host(2). {T}he hierarchy of events and molecular mechanisms that trigger sex determination and maintenance of sexual identity are yet to be elucidated. {H}ere we show that the male development 1 (md1) gene is both necessary and sufficient for male fate determination in the human malaria parasite {P}lasmodium falciparum. {W}e show that {M}d1 has a dual function stemming from two separate domains: in sex determination through its {N} terminus and in male development from its conserved {C}-terminal {LOTUS}/{OST}-{HTH} domain. {W}e further identify a bistable switch at the md1 locus, which is coupled with sex determination and ensures that the male-determining gene is not expressed in the female lineage. {W}e describe one of only a few known non-genetic mechanisms of sex determination in a eukaryote and highlight {M}d1 as a potential target for interventions that block malaria transmission.},
  keywords = {},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{N}ature},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[21 p.]},
  ISSN = {0028-0836},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1038/s41586-022-05509-z},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086723},
}