EVP1 Promotes Lipid Import
Author Information
Author(s): Tamez Pamela A., Bhattacharjee Souvik, van Ooij Christiaan, Hiller N. Luisa, Llinás Manuel, Balu Bharath, Adams John H., Haldar Kasturi
Primary Institution: Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Hypothesis
Can the exported protein EVP1 from the malaria parasite influence lipid import from the host cell surface?
Conclusion
The study identifies EVP1 as a crucial protein for maintaining a nutrient import pathway in malaria-infected erythrocytes.
Supporting Evidence
- EVP1 is required for intracellular parasite growth but not for invasion.
- Microarray analysis revealed that EVP1 expression changes lipid import dynamics at the host membrane.
- Transgenic parasites expressing EVP1 showed altered tubovesicular network organization.
Takeaway
The malaria parasite uses a special protein called EVP1 to help it take in nutrients from the red blood cells it infects.
Methodology
The study combined bioinformatics, genome-wide expression analyses, and transgenic and cellular assays to investigate the role of EVP1.
Limitations
The study could not knock out essential genes in the malaria parasite, limiting some experimental approaches.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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