Evolutionarily convergent mechanism of formin regulation coordinates actin polymerization in apicomplexan parasites.

ABSTRACT: Apicomplexan parasites rely on actin-based motility for host cell invasion and for their dissemination. Although previous studies implicate formin 1 (FRM1) in governing this process in Toxoplasma, the mechanisms that position it at the cell apex and regulate its activity during the transition from intracellular replication to active motility remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that FRM1 is complexed with a protein methyl transferase that stabilizes it from degradation and positions it at the cell apex. Moreover, we identify a conserved intramolecular interaction within FRM1 that serves as a critical regulatory switch that is functionally conserved in Plasmodium and other apicomplexan parasites. Using structural modeling combined with biochemical assays, we define two regulat

SUBMITTER: Qian P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12693976 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature