An Alveolata secretory machinery adapted to parasite host cell invasion.

ABSTRACT: Apicomplexa are unicellular eukaryotes and obligate intracellular parasites, including Plasmodium (the causative agent of malaria) and Toxoplasma (one of the most widespread zoonotic pathogens). Rhoptries, one of their specialized secretory organelles, undergo regulated exocytosis during invasion¹. Rhoptry proteins are injected directly into the host cell to support invasion and subversion of host immune function². The mechanism by which they are discharged is unclear and appears distinct from those in bacteria, yeast, animals and plants. Here, we show that rhoptry secretion in Apicomplexa shares structural and genetic elements with the exocytic machinery of ciliates, their free-living relatives. Rhoptry exocytosis depends on intramembranous particles in the shape of

SUBMITTER: Aquilini E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8886610 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature