title: Insights and controversies into the role of the key apicomplexan invasion ligand, Apical Membrane Antigen 1.
abstract: Apicomplexan parasites are obligate intracellular pathogens that cause a host of human and animal diseases. These parasites have developed a universal mechanism of invasion involving formation of a 'moving junction' that provides a stable anchoring point through which the parasite invades host cells. The composition of the moving junction, particularly the presence of the protein Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (AMA1), has recently been the subject of some controversy. In this commentary we review findings that led to the current model of the moving junction complex and dissect the major conflicts to determine whether a substantial reassessment of the role of AMA1 is justified.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Infection and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yap
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Immunology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Infection and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Alan F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Cowman
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Immunology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia. Electronic address: crabb@burnet.edu.au.
authors.forename: Brendan S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Crabb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: C506564:AMA1 protein, Toxoplasma gondii; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C090077:apical membrane antigen I, Plasmodium
keywords: AMA1; Apicomplexa; Invasion; Moving junction