Unique Properties of Nutrient Channels on Plasmodium-Infected Erythrocytes

Intracellular malaria parasites activate an ion and organic solute channel on their host erythrocyte membrane to acquire a broad range of essential nutrients. This plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC) facilitates the uptake of sugars, amino acids, purines, some vitamins, and organic cations, but remarkably, it must exclude the small Na+ ion to preserve infected erythrocyte osmotic stability in plasma. Although molecular, biochemical, and structural studies have provided fundamental mechanistic insights about PSAC and advanced potent inhibitors as exciting antimalarial leads, important questions remain about how nutrients and ions are transported. Here, I review PSAC's unusual selectivity and conductance properties, which should guide future research into this important microbial ion channel.

Automated summary

Intracellular malaria parasites activate a channel on the host erythrocyte membrane to acquire essential nutrients. This channel, known as plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC), allows the uptake of sugars, amino acids, purines, vitamins, and organic cations while excluding small Na+ ions. Understanding the selectivity and conductance properties of PSAC is crucial for further research on this important microbial ion channel.