Pilani (Rajasthan): In a new discovery, scientists at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS), Rajasthan have found out ways to stop the formation of a protein which helps in the creation of a gut barrier wall in the malaria carrier mosquito, Anopheles.

By stopping the formation of gut barrier wall, the immune system of the mosquito starts recognizing the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) and the immune system kills the parasite resulting in the stoppage of the life cycle of the parasite.

These findings provide a scientific breakthrough to manipulate the mosquito gut barriers and block the spread of deadly malaria parasite among the human population.

Findings of a study by Dr. Sanjiv Kumar and Dr. Lalita Gupta of BITS Pilani which has been published in the latest issue of the journal, Science, indicate that the growth of malaria can be effectively blocked by stopping the formation of a specific type of protein called Immunomodulatory Peroxidase (IMPer) in the mosquito gut.

The proteins actually help in the creation of a gut barrier wall which prevents the direct interaction between the mosquito immune system and the foreign antigens found in the blood. The study by Dr. Kumar and Dr. Gupta found that the formation of IMPer can be stopped by advanced methodology called Gene Silencing. The scientists state that stopping of the formation of the barrier wall will result in the recognition of the parasite by the mosquito's immune system, their immediate killing and thereby stopping of the parasite's life cycle.

Speaking to the Media Relations Department of BITS Pilani, Dr. Kumar who was the lead for this project carried out at National Institute of Health at Bethesda, US, (along with Dr Gupta and others) during 2003-08, said that all living beings have a co-evolved association with microbes, some of which are useful and some are not.

In every living being a barrier wall may exist which permits the existence of the beneficial microbes in the body system. Barrier works in such a way that all microbes are kept at bay from the immune system.

Dr. Kumar and Dr. Gupta said, "We believe that there may be a similar barrier wall in human beings also which prevent the microbes from coming into contact with the immune system of the body. When this barrier is broken, our immune system starts reacting every time against the microbes which are naturally encountering in our body in day to day life. As well, it will exert an extra burden on our immune system. The role of the barriers is to obviate the need for the immune system to act".

These findings have a big impact in malaria transmission and human health. Blocking of this IMPer or disturbing the natural barriers between malaria parasites and mosquito immune system will stop the completion of the parasite's life cycle in mosquito and therefore is likely to suppress the spread of malaria disease among human population, added Dr. Kumar and Dr. Gupta.