Detergent-resistant erythrocyte membrane rafts are modified by a Plasmodium falciparum infection.
Detergent resistant membranes (DRMs) have been implicated in numerous cellular processes including signal transduction, membrane trafficking, and molecular sorting. Flotillins-1 and -2 have recently been shown to be large components of erythrocyte DRMs. In this study, we show that a Plasmodium falciparum infection disrupts the association of flotillins with erythrocyte DRMs. Flotillins are probably released from erythrocyte DRMs through the reduction of cholesterol and sphingomyelin levels during the course of a P. falciparum-infection. Although it is well known that a P. falciparum infection can modify the host erythrocyte membrane, this is the first report that P. falciparum can alter the DRM components of erythrocyte membranes.
Nagao
Eriko
E
Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 4, Room 126, 4 Center Drive MSC 0425, Bethesda, MD 20892-0425, USA.
Seydel
Karl B
KB
Dvorak
James A
JA
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000378:metabolism
D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D013109:Sphingomyelins; C106354:flotillins; D002784:Cholesterol