Super-Resolution Dissection of Coordinated Events during Malaria Parasite Invasion of the Human Erythrocyte
Details
Publication Year 2011-01-20,Volume 9,Issue #1,Page 9-20
Journal Title
CELL HOST & MICROBE
Publication Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Erythrocyte invasion by the merozoite is an obligatory stage in Plasmodium parasite infection and essential to malaria disease progression. Attempts to study this process have been hindered by the poor invasion synchrony of merozoites from the only in vitro culture-adapted human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Using fluorescence, three-dimensional structured illumination, and immunoelectron microscopy of filtered merozoites, we analyze cellular and molecular events underlying each discrete step of invasion. Monitoring the dynamics of these events revealed that commitment to the process is mediated through merozoite attachment to the erythrocyte, triggering all subsequent invasion events, which then proceed without obvious checkpoints. Instead, coordination of the invasion process involves formation of the merozoite-erythrocyte tight junction, which acts as a nexus for rhoptry secretion, surface-protein shedding, and actomyosin motor activation. The ability to break down each molecular step allows us to propose a comprehensive model for the molecular basis of parasite invasion.
Publisher
CELL PRESS
Keywords
PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM MEROZOITES; APICAL MEMBRANE ANTIGEN-1; RED-BLOOD-CELLS; TOXOPLASMA-GONDII; MOVING JUNCTION; PARASITOPHOROUS VACUOLE; SURFACE-ANTIGEN; PROTEIN COMPLEX; DENSE GRANULES; KNOWLESI
Research Division(s)
Infection And Immunity
Terms of Use/Rights Notice
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


Creation Date: 2011-01-20 12:00:00
An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙