Abstract
The intra-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum assemble a unique protein trafficking system that targets parasite proteins to the red cell cytoplasm and cell surface. It is through this trafficking pathway that the primary virulence determinants of P. falciparum infections are targeted to the erythrocyte surface to mediate adhesion to host endothelial cells. A recent study has shown that SBP-1, a parasite protein associated with Maurer's clefts in the infected red cell cytosol, is essential for transport of the virulence factor PfEMP-1. This discovery sheds new light on the little-understood mechanisms that regulate protein trafficking in infected cells.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Carrier Proteins / genetics
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Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
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Erythrocytes / metabolism
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Erythrocytes / parasitology*
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Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
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Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
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Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism*
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Plasmodium falciparum / pathogenicity
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Protein Sorting Signals
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Protein Transport / genetics
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Protozoan Proteins / genetics
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Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*
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Virulence Factors / genetics
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Virulence Factors / metabolism
Substances
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Carrier Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Pfsbp1 protein, Plasmodium falciparum
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Protein Sorting Signals
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Protozoan Proteins
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Virulence Factors
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erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum