Location, location, location: trafficking and function of secreted proteases of Toxoplasma and Plasmodium.
The Apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium species are obligate intracellular parasites that rely upon unique secretory organelles for invasion and other specialized functions. Data is emerging that proteases are critical for the biogenesis of micronemes and rhoptries, regulated secretory organelles reminiscent of dense core granules and secretory lysosomes of higher eukaryotes. Proteases targeted to the Plasmodium food vacuole, a unique organelle dedicated to hemoglobin degradation, are also critical to parasite survival. Thus study of the targeting and function of the proteases of the Apicomplexa provides a fascinating model system to understand regulated secretion and secretory organelle biogenesis.
Binder
Emily M
EM
Departments of Medicine and of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Ullmann 1225, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Kim
Kami
K
D000818:Animals; D008288:Malaria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000502:physiology*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D010447:Peptide Hydrolases