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The apicomplexan inner membrane complex.
Maya Kono1, Dhaneswar Prusty, John Parkinson
1Department of Molecular Parasitology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|June 11, 2013
Summary
Alveolates, including dinoflagellates, apicomplexans, and ciliates, share unique vesicles. In parasites like Apicomplexa, these vesicles form the inner membrane complex (IMC), crucial for host invasion and cell division.
Area of Science:
- Protistology
- Cell Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Alveolates (dinoflagellates, apicomplexans, ciliates) are a diverse supergroup.
- All alveolates possess unique subsurface vesicles called alveoli.
- These alveoli have varied functions across different alveolate lineages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure and protein composition of the apicomplexan inner membrane complex (IMC).
- To understand the functional significance of the IMC in parasitic protists.
- To explore the evolutionary adaptations of the IMC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent studies on apicomplexan IMC architecture.
- Examination of the diversity and evolutionary origins of IMC proteins.
Main Results:
- The apicomplexan IMC is a complex structure involved in host cell invasion and cytokinesis.
- A large number of diverse proteins constitute the IMC.
- These proteins exhibit varied evolutionary origins, reflecting adaptation to parasitism.
Conclusions:
- The IMC is a key adaptation enabling the parasitic lifestyle of Apicomplexa.
- The protein diversity of the IMC highlights its functional versatility.
- Further research into IMC proteins can reveal novel insights into apicomplexan biology.
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