Plasmodium falciparum and the permeation pathway of the host red blood cell.
Invasion of red blood cells by malaria parasites leads to a huge increase in solute traffic across the membrane of a normally tight cell. Recent electrophysiological investigations strongly support earlier evidence from transport and pharmacological studies that the permeability pathway, which the parasite induces in the host cell membrane, is an anion-selective channel. This article analyzes the evidence and controversies concerning the nature of this channel, surveys the main open questions and suggests directions for future research in this area.
Thomas
Serge L Y
SL
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UPR 9042, Station Biologique, Place G Teissier, BP 74, 29682 Roscoff cedex, France.
Lew
Virgilio L
VL
D000818:Animals; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000097:blood; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood* / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000502:physiology*
D007473:Ion Channels