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Structural and regulatory principles underlying apicomplexan conoid function.

Albert Tell I Puig¹, Dominique Soldati-Favre¹

¹Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Trends in Parasitology

|February 7, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Apicomplexan parasites remodel tubulin to build their invasion organelle, the conoid. This structure uses distinct microtubule assemblies for motility and host cell entry.

Keywords:

Toxoplasma gondii conoid fibers invasion microtubules motility preconoidal rings

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Area of Science:

Parasitology
Cell Biology
Structural Biology

Background:

Apicomplexan parasites cause significant human and animal diseases.
The conoid is a critical organelle for host cell invasion by these parasites.
The precise structural organization of the conoid remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the structural basis of the apicomplexan conoid.
To understand how tubulin remodeling contributes to conoid formation.
To reveal the functional implications of conoid structure in parasite invasion.

Main Methods:

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was employed to visualize the conoid at high resolution.
Structural analysis focused on tubulin arrangements and microtubule assembly within the conoid.

Main Results:

Detailed structures of distinct microtubule assemblies within the conoid were revealed.
Extensive remodeling of tubulin subunits was identified as crucial for conoid construction.
These assemblies provide mechanical support, enable force generation, and control secretion.

Conclusions:

The conoid's structure is built upon highly specialized microtubule assemblies.
Tubulin remodeling is a key mechanism for forming this essential invasion organelle.
The conoid's structural framework is fundamental to apicomplexan parasite motility and host cell entry.