title: The inner membrane complex through development of Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium.
abstract: Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are important human and veterinary pathogens. These parasites possess an unusual double membrane structure located directly below the plasma membrane named the inner membrane complex (IMC). First identified in early electron micrograph studies, huge advances in genetic manipulation of the Apicomplexa have allowed the visualization of a dynamic, highly structured cellular compartment with important roles in maintaining the structure and motility of these parasites. This review summarizes recent advances in the field and highlights the changes the IMC undergoes during the complex life cycles of the Apicomplexa.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Clare R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meissner
mesh_terms: D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008124:Locomotion; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008954:Models, Biological; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*