Evolving insights into protein trafficking to the multiple compartments of the apicomplexan plastid.
The apicoplast is a relict plastid found in many medically important apicomplexan parasites, such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma. Phylogenetic analysis and the presence of four bounding membranes indicate that the apicoplast arose from a secondary endosymbiosis. Here we review what has been discovered about the complex journey proteins take to reach compartments of the apicoplast. The targeting sequences for luminal proteins are well-defined, but those routing proteins to other compartments are only beginning to be studied. Recent work suggests that the trafficking mechanisms involve a variety of molecules of different phylogenetic origins. We highlight some remaining questions regarding protein trafficking to this divergent organelle.
Parsons
Marilyn
M
Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Washington 98109, USA. marilyn.parsons@sbri.org
Karnataki
Anuradha
A
Derocher
Amy E
AE
D000818:Animals; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D018087:Plastids / Q000378:metabolism*; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D021381:Protein Transport; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000378:metabolism*
D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D015800:Protozoan Proteins