Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum sexual parasites, called gametocytes, are the only parasite stages responsible for transmission from humans to Anopheles mosquitoes. During their maturation, P. falciparum gametocytes remodel the structural and mechanical properties of the membrane of their erythrocyte host. This remodeling is induced by the export of several parasite proteins and a dynamic reorganization of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. Some of these modifications are specific for sexual stages and play a key role for gametocyte maturation, sequestration in internal organs, subsequent release in the bloodstream and ability to persist in circulation. Here we discuss the mechanisms developed by gametocytes to remodel their host cell and the functional relevance of these modifications.
Highlights
To interact with the external environment, the parasite Plasmodium falciparum drastically remodels its erythrocyte host
These proteins remodel the erythrocyte membrane to allow gametocytes to interact with the host, indicating that the parasite evolved efficient strategies to renovate its host cell according to the specific needs of each life cycle phase
This review summarizes our current knowledge of the mechanisms developed by gametocytes to remodel the structural and mechanical properties of their erythrocyte host cell
Summary
Reviewed by: Gabriele Pradel, RWTH Aachen University, Germany Ashley Vaughan, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, United States. Plasmodium falciparum sexual parasites, called gametocytes, are the only parasite stages responsible for transmission from humans to Anopheles mosquitoes. During their maturation, P. falciparum gametocytes remodel the structural and mechanical properties of the membrane of their erythrocyte host. P. falciparum gametocytes remodel the structural and mechanical properties of the membrane of their erythrocyte host This remodeling is induced by the export of several parasite proteins and a dynamic reorganization of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. Some of these modifications are specific for sexual stages and play a key role for gametocyte maturation, sequestration in internal organs, subsequent release in the bloodstream and ability to persist in circulation.
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