Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting
07:27

A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting

Published on: May 16, 2013

19.2K

Plasmodium alveolins possess distinct but structurally and functionally related multi-repeat domains

Fatimah S Al-Khattaf1, Annie Z Tremp, Johannes T Dessens

  • 1Pathogen Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.

Parasitology Research
|December 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Malaria parasites have a unique pellicle structure. Researchers studied alveolins, key proteins in this structure, finding functional redundancy in Plasmodium berghei, suggesting complex parasite biology.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Parasitology
  • Protein structure

Background:

  • Malaria parasites possess a pellicle, a critical cortical structure for invasive stages.
  • The pellicle is supported by a subpellicular network (SPN) composed of intermediate filaments, primarily alveolins.
  • Understanding alveolin family members is crucial for comprehending parasite structure and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-appraise alveolins within the Plasmodium genus, examining their repertoire, structure, and relationships.
  • To investigate the expression, localization, and function of a divergent alveolin, PbIMC1d, in Plasmodium berghei.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis to identify and classify alveolin family members.
  • Expression and localization studies of PbIMC1d in Plasmodium berghei ookinetes.
  • Gene knockout experiments to assess the in vivo phenotype of PbIMC1d deficiency.

Main Results:

  • Identified 13 alveolin family members in Plasmodium, distinguishing two structurally related domain types with tandem repeats.
  • PbIMC1d is expressed specifically in ookinetes and localizes to the pellicle, consistent with a SPN component role.
  • PbIMC1d knockout parasites exhibited wild-type characteristics in ookinete development, motility, and infectivity, indicating functional redundancy.

Conclusions:

  • Alveolins form a structurally conserved family with distinct domain types within Plasmodium.
  • PbIMC1d is a functional component of the Plasmodium berghei pellicle, but its absence does not impair parasite fitness.
  • This study presents the first evidence of functional redundancy among alveolins, highlighting the complexity of the parasite cytoskeleton.

More Related Videos

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum10:22

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

Published on: December 4, 2015

9.4K
Analysis of Single-cell Gene Transcription by RNA Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization FISH13:06

Analysis of Single-cell Gene Transcription by RNA Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization FISH

Published on: October 7, 2012

16.2K

Related Concept Videos

Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
2.3K
Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins02:26

Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins

Protein domains are small structurally independent units that are part of a single amino acid chain.  Although these domains are often structurally independent, they may rely on synergistic effects to perform their functions as part of a larger protein. Protein domains may be conserved within the same organism, as well as across different organisms.
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...
15.3K
Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins01:09

Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins

Plakins are large proteins with binding domains for microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and membrane-associated protein complexes at cell junctions. Plakin functions are evolutionarily conserved and are primarily involved in organizing the different components of the cytoskeleton by crosslinking them to each other and connecting them to the cell-matrix and cell adhesion complexes. They are also known to interact with signal transducers, serve as scaffolds for signaling...
3.1K
Symbiosis00:58

Symbiosis

Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
38.9K
Diversity of Protists IV01:27

Diversity of Protists IV

Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
2.2K
Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...
8.4K