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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
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Membrane Transport Processes Analyzed by a Highly Parallel Nanopore Chip System at Single Protein Resolution
Published on: August 16, 2016
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The Apicomplexan CDC/MACPF-like pore-forming proteins.
Kristin R Wade1, Rodney K Tweten1
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|May 31, 2015
Summary
Apicomplexan parasites use perforin-like proteins (PLPs) to create pores. These pores enable parasite invasion by rupturing host cell membranes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) are crucial for virulence and immune defense.
- Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) and MACPF proteins form large β-barrel pores.
- Apicomplexan parasites utilize CDC/MACPFs known as perforin-like proteins (PLPs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies on Apicomplexan PLP (ApiMACPF) pore formation.
- To elucidate the assembly and regulatory mechanisms of ApiMACPF.
- To understand the role of ApiMACPF in parasite invasion and host cell lysis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature.
- Analysis of molecular pore-forming mechanisms.
- Investigation of protein structure and function.
Main Results:
- ApiMACPF proteins assemble and regulate molecular pores.
- Pore formation is essential for parasitophorous vacuole and host cell membrane rupture.
- These mechanisms facilitate parasite cell traversal.
Conclusions:
- Apicomplexan PLPs are key effectors in parasite pathogenesis.
- Understanding ApiMACPF pore formation offers insights into parasite-host interactions.
- ApiMACPF mechanisms are vital for Apicomplexan parasite survival and propagation.
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