Matryoshka-type cell configuration by organelles evolved for the parasitism

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: "Matryoshka"-type evolution of eukaryotes
• Project/Area Number: 23117008
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: KANEKO Osamu 長崎大学, 熱帯医学研究所, 教授 (50325370)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): TSUBOI Takafumi 愛媛大学, プロテオサイエンスセンター, 教授 (00188616)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): YAHATA Kazuhide 長崎大学, 熱帯医学研究所, 助教 (40467965) ; SAKAGUCHI Miako 長崎大学, 熱帯医学研究所, 助教 (50400651)
• Research Collaborator: ASADA Masahito 長崎大学, 熱帯医学研究所, 助教 ; MIYAZAKI Shinya 長崎大学, 熱帯医学研究所, 特任研究員 ; ITO Daisuke 愛媛大学, プロテオサイエンスセンター, 博士研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 寄生 / 原虫 / 真核細胞 / マラリア / 赤血球 / オルガネラ / 細胞侵入 / 細胞内輸送

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For better understanding of the Matryoshka-type cell configuration by organelles evolved for the parasitism in malaria parasites, proteins located in the secretory organelles of the invasive stage of malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum were comprehensively analyzed. To this end, 25 novel molecules were identified and characterized for their importance during the invasion and growth. Analysis of a parasite molecule SURFIN that is expressed on the parasite-infected erythrocyte identified essential regions for the trafficking to the erythrocyte cytosol and Maurer's clefts, nascent membranous structures generated by the parasite in the erythrocyte. The translocon responsible for this trafficking was also identified. In addition, regions required for the translocation from Maurer's clefts to the erythrocyte membrane and exposure on the erythrocyte surface was identified.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学