Plasmodium falciparum Rab1A Localizes to Rhoptries in Schizonts

PLoS One. 2016 Jun 27;11(6):e0158174. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158174. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Over-expression of a GFP-PfRab1A fusion protein in Plasmodium falciparum schizonts produces a punctate pattern of fluorescence typical of rhoptries, secretory organelles involved in host cell invasion. The GFP-positive bodies were purified by a combination of differential and density gradient centrifugation and their protein content determined by MS/MS sequencing. Consistent with the GFP rhoptry-like pattern of transgenic parasites, four of the 19 proteins identified have been previously described to be rhoptry-associated and another four are ER or ER-associated proteins. Confirmation that GFP-PfRab1A decorates rhoptries was obtained by its co-localization with Rap1 and Ron4 in late phase schizonts. We conclude that PfRab1A potentially regulates vesicular traffic from the endoplasmic reticulum to the rhoptries in Apicomplexa parasites.

MeSH terms

  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Schizonts / metabolism*
  • rab1 GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab1 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • rab1 GTP-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

Funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia); Australian Research Council; Labex ParaFrap - ANR-11-LABX-0024. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.