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Vacuolar protein sorting mechanisms in apicomplexan parasites

Elena Jimenez-Ruiz1, Juliette Morlon-Guyot2, Wassim Daher2

  • 1Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom.

Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
|February 5, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Apicomplexan parasites like Toxoplasma gondii utilize a limited set of vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) factors. This review explores their roles in protein trafficking and proposes a model for membrane and micronemal protein recycling.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Apicomplexa are significant pathogens with complex endomembrane systems.
  • Secretory organelles (rhoptries, micronemes, dense granules) release proteins crucial for host cell invasion.
  • Despite complexity, apicomplexans possess a reduced set of vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) factors compared to other eukaryotes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on trafficking complexes in Toxoplasma gondii.
  • To highlight recent studies on VPS protein complexes.
  • To propose a novel model for parasite membrane and micronemal protein recycling.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on protein trafficking in T. gondii.
  • Focus on complexes involving vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) proteins.
  • Presentation of a hypothetical model for protein recycling.

Main Results:

  • T. gondii and related parasites have lost several VPS homologues found in other eukaryotes.
  • A core set of trafficking factors is utilized for protein sorting.
  • Recent studies elucidate the function of specific VPS protein complexes.

Conclusions:

  • The limited set of VPS factors in apicomplexans is sufficient for essential protein trafficking.
  • A novel model suggests recycling mechanisms for parasite membrane and micronemal proteins.
  • Further research is needed to validate the proposed recycling model.
Keywords:
Microneme recyclingMulti-subunit tethering complexToxoplasma gondiiVesicular protein sorting

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