Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
08:57
Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays
Published on: February 4, 2021
Actin/myosin-based gliding motility in apicomplexan parasites
Kai Matuschewski1, Herwig Schüler
1Department of Parasitology, Heidelberg University School of Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany.
Sub-Cellular Biochemistry
|June 3, 2008
Summary
Apicomplexan parasites use unique gliding motility for host cell invasion. Understanding their motor machinery offers targets for new disease intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Apicomplexan parasites exhibit substrate-dependent gliding motility for host cell entry.
- This locomotion mechanism is distinct from prokaryotic and viral pathogen movement.
- Understanding these processes is crucial for combating diseases caused by these parasites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of apicomplexan parasite motility.
- To identify key components of the gliding motor machinery.
- To explore potential targets for intervention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of parasite cytoskeletal components.
- Investigation of the inner membrane complex structure.
- Characterization of unconventional myosins, actin, and TRAP-family invasins.
Main Results:
- The gliding motor is located between the plasma membrane and the inner membrane complex.
- Key components include immobilized unconventional myosins, actin stubs, and TRAP-family invasins.
- The motor machinery facilitates force generation for movement and invasion.
Conclusions:
- The unique structure and components of the apicomplexan gliding motor are identified.
- Targeting these motility mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
- This research has implications for controlling devastating human and livestock diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Role of Myosin in Cell Migration
Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
01:24Microtubules in Cell Motility
Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
01:24Microtubules in Cell Motility
Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
01:13Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
01:39Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
01:43The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles
In eukaryotic cells, cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...