Abstract
Malaria parasites possess many unique subcellular structures and organelles that are essential for the successful completion of the complex life cycle of Plasmodium in the vertebrate host and mosquito vector. Among these are the crystalloids: transient structures whose presence is restricted to the mosquito-specific ookinete and young oocyst stages of the parasite. Nearly five decades after they were first described, the crystalloids are back in the spotlight, with recent discoveries pointing to an important role in protein trafficking and sporozoite transmission that could be exploited as new targets for control of malaria transmission.
Highlights
Malaria remains a devastating parasitic infection in humans, causing an estimated 0.5 billion clinical cases annually and more than one million deaths [1]
Crystalloids are unique subcellular structures of malaria parasites that are implicated in malaria transmission by nature of their exclusive presence in ookinetes and young oocysts
As early as 1969 it was postulated that the crystalloids could constitute a reservoir of protein synthesized in the gametocyte that is used during oocyst development [2], but experimental evidence regarding the origins and functions of the crystalloids has remained elusive
Summary
Malaria remains a devastating parasitic infection in humans, causing an estimated 0.5 billion clinical cases annually and more than one million deaths [1]. Zygotes transform over a 16–20 hour period into ookinetes These cross the midgut epithelium and transform into oocysts. Crystalloids are unique subcellular structures of malaria parasites that are implicated in malaria transmission by nature of their exclusive presence in ookinetes and young oocysts. Recent studies have demonstrated a functional link between the crystalloids and a family of Plasmodium LCCL proteins (see below) that are essential for sporozoite transmission. This discovery has raised new interest in this intriguing parasite structure from a cell biological perspective and as a potential target for control of malaria transmission. The crystalloids could be composite vesicular organelles designed to traffic molecules from the gametocyte to the young oocyst, where the crystalloid subunits dissociate and enter a vesicular pathway to deliver their cargo
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
