Gliding Associated Proteins Play Essential Roles during the Formation of the Inner Membrane Complex of Toxoplasma gondii

PLoS Pathogens

David J. P. Ferguson¹  Matthew Gow²  Markus Meissner²  Clare R. Harding²  Saskia Egarter²  Elena Jiménez-Ruiz² 

[1] Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom;Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom

关键词: Vacuoles;    Parasite replication;    Cell membranes;    Biosynthesis;    Membrane proteins;    Parasitic cell cycles;    Cellular structures;    organelles;    Toxoplasma gondii;   

DOI  :  10.1371/journal.ppat.1005403

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Public Library of Science

【 摘 要 】

The inner membrane complex (IMC) of apicomplexan parasites is a specialised structure localised beneath the parasite’s plasma membrane, and is important for parasite stability and intracellular replication. Furthermore, it serves as an anchor for the myosin A motor complex, termed the glideosome. While the role of this protein complex in parasite motility and host cell invasion has been well described, additional roles during the asexual life cycle are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that core elements of the glideosome, the gliding associated proteins GAP40 and GAP50 as well as members of the GAPM family, have critical roles in the biogenesis of the IMC during intracellular replication. Deletion or disruption of these genes resulted in the rapid collapse of developing parasites after initiation of the cell cycle and led to redistribution of other glideosome components.

【 授权许可】

CC BY