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The flagellar contribution to the apical complex: a new tool for the eukaryotic Swiss Army knife?

Neil Portman1, Jan Slapeta1

  • 1Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Trends in Parasitology
|January 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The apical complex in Apicomplexa, responsible for host cell invasion, likely evolved from the flagellum. Studying related organisms like Chromera velia helps understand this ancient pathogen

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Apicomplexa are single-celled pathogens causing diseases like malaria.
  • The apical complex is key for host cell invasion by these parasites.
  • The evolutionary origins of the apical complex remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origins of the Apicomplexa apical complex.
  • To explore the role of the flagellum in the development of the apical complex.
  • To assess the utility of non-apicomplexan models in understanding the apical complex.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of Apicomplexa and related organisms.
  • Examination of flagellar structures and functions.
  • Utilizing Chromera velia as a model organism.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests the apical complex is a highly adapted structure derived from the flagellum.
  • The flagellum appears to have significantly contributed to the evolution of the apical complex.
  • Non-apicomplexan models offer insights into the modern apical complex.

Conclusions:

  • The flagellum played a crucial role in the evolution of the Apicomplexa apical complex.
  • Understanding flagellum adaptability is key to deciphering apical complex origins.
  • Further research on related organisms can illuminate the Apicomplexa's parasitic strategies.
Keywords:
ApicomplexaChromeraapical complexconoidflagellumrootlet

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