Deciphering the export pathway of malaria surface proteins.
The intra-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum assemble a unique protein trafficking system that targets parasite proteins to the red cell cytoplasm and cell surface. It is through this trafficking pathway that the primary virulence determinants of P. falciparum infections are targeted to the erythrocyte surface to mediate adhesion to host endothelial cells. A recent study has shown that SBP-1, a parasite protein associated with Maurer's clefts in the infected red cell cytosol, is essential for transport of the virulence factor PfEMP-1. This discovery sheds new light on the little-understood mechanisms that regulate protein trafficking in infected cells.
Epp
Christian
C
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, Box 62, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Deitsch
Kirk
K
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C417763:Pfsbp1 protein, Plasmodium falciparum; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; C085731:erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum