<i>Plasmodium berghei</i> IMC1j interacts with δ-tubulin to orchestrate subpellicular microtubule organization in ookinetes.

ABSTRACT: Apicomplexan parasites possess specialized structures for cell invasion and replication, notably the inner membrane complex (IMC) and the subpellicular microtubules (SPMTs) situated beneath it. SPMTs are thought to interact with proteins embedded in or associated with the IMC. The cytosolic side of the IMC contains a network of proteins known as alveolins. This study focuses on a specific alveolar protein, Plasmodium berghei IMC1j (PbIMC1j). We found that PbIMC1j undergoes palmitoylation and is predominantly expressed in ookinetes. Gene knockout analysis revealed that the absence of PbIMC1j leads to defects in parasite asexual stage fitness and virulence, alters ookinete morphology, and impairs motility and/or infectivity in both ookinetes and sporozoites. Deletion analyses indicate

SUBMITTER: He G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12607714 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature