Protein trafficking inside Toxoplasma gondii

Traffic. 2008 May;9(5):636-46. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2008.00713.x. Epub 2008 Mar 4.

Abstract

The accurate targeting of proteins to their final destination is an essential process in all living cells. Apicomplexans are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites that possess a compartmental organization similar to that of free-living eukaryotes but can be viewed as professional secretory cells. Establishment of parasitism involves the sequential secretion from highly specialized secretory organelles, including micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules. Additionally, apicomplexans harbor a tubular mitochondrion, a nonphotosynthetic plastid organelle termed the apicoplast, acidocalcisomes and an elaborated inner membrane complex composed of flattened membrane cisternae that are derived from the secretory pathway. Given the multitude of destinations both inside and outside the parasite, the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi of the apicomplexans constitutes one of the most busy roads intersections in eukaryotic traffic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Plasmodium falciparum / cytology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism
  • Plastids / metabolism
  • Plastids / ultrastructure
  • Protein Transport / physiology*
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*
  • Toxoplasma / cytology
  • Toxoplasma / metabolism*

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins