Proteases in host cell invasion by the malaria parasite.
The life cycle of the malaria parasite contains three distinct invasive forms, or zoites. For at least two of these--the sporozoite and the blood-stage merozoite--invasion into their respective host cell requires the activity of parasite proteases. This review summarizes the evidence for this, discusses selected well-described proteolytic modifications linked to invasion, and describes recent progress towards identifying the proteases involved.
Blackman
Michael J
MJ
Division of Parasitology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK. mblackm@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C090077:apical membrane antigen I, Plasmodium; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases