Not Open Access | PI(3)P-independent and -dependent pathways function together in a vacuolar translocation sequence to target malarial proteins to the host erythrocyte
Reference:
Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, Volume 185, Issue 2, October 2012, Pages 106-113
We have previously shown that the R to A mutation in the HT motif, abrogates VTS binding to PI(3)P (Kd > 5 μM). We now show that remarkably, the R to A mutant is exported to the host erythrocyte, for both membrane and soluble reporters, although the efficiency of export is reduced to ∼30% of that seen with a complete VTS.
Medical Condition:
Here, we review recent studies on interactions between erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA) and PfRH proteins from the parasite and erythrocyte receptors involved in invasion.
In the study described here, we delineated the erythrocyte binding domain (EBD) of one member of the RH family, termed Py235, from Plasmodium yoelii.
Here, we have generated transfectant lines expressing GFP- or HA-Strep-tagged versions of these proteins, and used these to investigate both localization and other properties of these Hsp40 co-chaperones.
Our results suggest that FIKK members phosphorylate different membrane skeleton proteins of the infected erythrocyte in a stage-specific manner, inducing alterations in the mechanical properties of the parasite-infected red blood cell.
The balance between GSH-levels and oxidative stress is critical for cell survival. The GSH-levels of erythrocytes are dramatically decreased during infection with Plasmodium spp.
This study is now extended to include field isolates collected from sites within Kenya. DNA isolated from blood samples of infected patients was utilized to amplify the region I sequence of ebl-1 gene in order to investigate polymorphism in the region immediately adjacent to the 5′ cysteine-rich domains, and to determine the prevalence of an insertion mutant that effectively knocks out the gene.
Plasmodium falciparum is a highly lethal malaria parasite of humans. A major portion of its life cycle is dedicated to invading and multiplying inside erythrocytes.
Apicomplexan parasites are obligate intracellular parasites that infect a variety of hosts, causing significant diseases in livestock and humans. The invasive forms of the parasites invade their host cells by gliding motility, an active process driven by parasite adhesion proteins and molecular motors.
Plasmodium falciparum is a highly lethal malaria parasite of humans. A major portion of its life cycle is dedicated to invading and multiplying inside erythrocytes. The molecular mechanisms of erythrocyte invasion are incompletely understood. P. falciparum depends heavily on sialic acid present on glycophorins to invade erythrocytes.