Defining the Essential Exportome of the Malaria Parasite

To survive inside red blood cells (RBCs), malaria parasites export many proteins to alter their host cell's physiological properties. Although most proteins of this exportome are involved in immune avoidance or in the trafficking of exported proteins to the host membrane, about 20% are essential for parasite survival in culture but little is known about their biological functions. Here, we have combined information from large-scale genetic screens and targeted gene-disruption studies to tabulate all currently known Plasmodium falciparum exported proteins according to their likelihood of being essential. We also discuss the essential functional pathways that exported proteins might be involved in to help direct research efforts towards a more comprehensive understanding of host-cell remodelling.

Automated summary

Malaria parasites export proteins to alter their host cell's properties, with about 20% of these proteins being essential for parasite survival in culture. However, little is known about the biological functions of these essential proteins. By combining information from genetic screens and gene-disruption studies, researchers have tabulated all known exported proteins and discussed the essential pathways they may be involved in.