Aldolase forms a bridge between cell surface adhesins and the actin cytoskeleton in apicomplexan parasites.
Host cell invasion by apicomplexan parasites requires coordinated interactions between cell surface adhesins and the parasite cytoskeleton. We have identified a complex of parasite proteins, including the actin binding protein aldolase, which specifically interacts with the C-terminal domains of several parasite adhesins belonging to the thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) family. Binding of aldolase to the adhesin was disrupted by mutation of a critical tryptophan in the C domain, a residue that was previously shown to be essential for parasite motility. Our findings reveal a potential role for aldolase in connecting TRAP family adhesins with the cytoskeleton, and provide a model linking adhesion with motility in apicomplexan parasites.
Jewett
Travis J
TJ
Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Sibley
L David
LD
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000235:genetics*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000235:genetics
C408878:MIC2 protein, Toxoplasma gondii; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C069428:thrombospondin-related adhesive protein, protozoan; D014364:Tryptophan; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase