Plasmodium falciparum possesses two GRASP proteins that are differentially targeted to the Golgi complex via a higher- and lower-eukaryote-like mechanism.
Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, relies on a complex protein-secretion system for protein targeting into numerous subcellular destinations. Recently, a homologue of the Golgi re-assembly stacking protein (GRASP) was identified and used to characterise the Golgi organisation in this parasite. Here, we report on the presence of a splice variant that leads to the expression of a GRASP isoform. Although the first GRASP protein (GRASP1) relies on a well-conserved myristoylation motif, the variant (GRASP2) displays a different N-terminus, similar to GRASPs found in fungi. Phylogenetic analyses between GRASP proteins of numerous taxa point to an independent evolution of the unusual N-terminus that could reflect unique requirements for Golgi-dependent protein sorting and organelle biogenesis in P. falciparum. Golgi association of GRASP2 depends on the hydrophobic N-terminus that resembles a signal anchor, leading to a unique mode of Golgi targeting and membrane attachment.
Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Malaria II, Bernhard-Nocht-Strasse 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
Nicole S
NS
Struck
Susann
S
Herrmann
Christine
C
Langer
Andreas
A
Krueger
Bernardo J
BJ
Foth
Klemens
K
Engelberg
Ana L
AL
Cabrera
Silvia
S
Haase
Moritz
M
Treeck
Matthias
M
Marti
Alan F
AF
Cowman
Tobias
T
Spielmann
Tim W
TW
Gilberger
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077614:Golgi Matrix Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
C509078:GRASP protein, Plasmodium falciparum; D000077614:Golgi Matrix Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins