Cytoplasmic free Ca2+ is essential for multiple steps in malaria parasite egress from infected erythrocytes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Egress of Plasmodium falciparum, from erythrocytes at the end of its asexual cycle and subsequent parasite invasion into new host cells, is responsible for parasite dissemination in the human body. The egress pathway is emerging as a coordinated multistep programme that extends in time for tens of minutes, ending with rapid parasite extrusion from erythrocytes. While the Ca2+ regulation of the invasion of P. falciparum in erythrocytes is well established, the role of Ca2+ in parasite egress is poorly understood. This study analysed the involvement of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ in infected erythrocytes during the multistep egress programme of malaria parasites.

Methods

Live-cell fluorescence microscopy was used to image parasite egress from infected erythrocytes, assess

SUBMITTER: Glushakova S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3564835 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature