Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michele S. Y. Tan, Konstantinos Koussis, Chrislaine Withers-Martinez, Steven A. Howell, James A. Thomas, Fiona Hackett, Ellen Knuepfer, Min Shen, Matthew D. Hall, Ambrosius P. Snijders, Michael J. Blackman
Summary: The study reveals the pathway of malaria parasite egress from host erythrocytes and identifies SERA6 as a target for a new class of antimalarial drugs. Activation of SERA6 involves an autocatalytic step triggered by SUB1 cleavage, which requires interaction with the protein cofactor MSA180 for autoproteolytic maturation.
Review
Cell Biology
Michele S. Y. Tan, Michael J. Blackman
Summary: All intracellular pathogens, including the malaria parasite, must escape from the host cell to proliferate. The process of egress in the Plasmodium life cycle occurs at four distinct phases, involving disruption of membranes or cyst walls in a regulated manner. Researchers are studying the morphological features and molecular mechanisms of egress to develop new approaches for malaria control.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elina Lidumniece, Chrislaine Withers-Martinez, Fiona Hackett, Christine R. Collins, Abigail J. Perrin, Konstantinos Koussis, Claudine Bisson, Michael J. Blackman, Aigars Jirgensons
Summary: Malaria is a devastating infectious disease causing over 400,000 deaths annually. Researchers have developed substrate-based peptidic boronic acids that inhibit a parasite protease called SUB1, preventing parasite replication through egress and potentially serving as a new class of antimalarial drugs.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Tautvydas Paskevicius, Rabih Abou Farraj, Marek Michalak, Luis B. Agellon
Summary: Calnexin is an integral ER membrane protein with distinct domains in the ER lumen and cytosol. It acts as a chaperone for folding and quality control of proteins, similar to calreticulin. Recent studies have shown that the cytosolic domain of calnexin undergoes post-translational modifications and interacts with various proteins, suggesting its role in coordinating ER functions with cytosolic events.
Article
Microbiology
Abigail J. Perrin, Claudine Bisson, Peter A. Faull, Matthew J. Renshaw, Rebecca A. Lees, Roland A. Fleck, Helen R. Saibil, Ambrosius P. Snijders, David A. Baker, Michael J. Blackmanm
Summary: The protein SEA1 in Plasmodium falciparum plays a crucial role in the correct segregation of replicated DNA and formation of daughter merozoites during parasite development. Disruption of SEA1 expression results in defective merozoite development with some lacking nuclei, impacting egress. These findings suggest that SEA1 acts as an essential regulator in ensuring proper packaging of nuclei within merozoites, rather than directly facilitating egress.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tito Cali, Marisa Brini
Summary: Membrane contact sites between organelles play a crucial role in cellular homeostasis and can be quantified using SPLICS sensors in both fixed and living cells.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Baiying Li, Yonglun Zeng, Sze Wan Lo, Yusong Guo, Liwen Jiang
Summary: This article describes an Arabidopsis-derived in vitro vesicle formation system for the reconstitution, purification, and characterization of plant-derived COPII vesicles. The method involves the isolation of microsomes and cytosol from suspension-cultured cells, in vitro COPII vesicle reconstitution and purification, and biochemical and microscopic analysis using specific antibodies. The entire procedure takes approximately 18-20 hours of operation time and allows plant researchers without specific expertise to achieve organelle purification or vesicle reconstitution for further characterization.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joshua E. Mayfield, Jack E. Dixon
Summary: Eukaryotes rely on proper localization, accumulation, and release of intracellular Ca2+, which is regulated through specialized compartments and signaling pathways. While cytosolic and extracellular signals governing intracellular Ca2+ stores have been well explored, regulatory signals within Ca2+ storage organelles like the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum are not well understood due to a lack of identified signaling molecules and limited information on their regulation. In this review, recent advances in intralumenal signaling are discussed, with a focus on the protein kinase FAM20C and its regulation, Ca2+-binding protein substrates, and potential mechanisms for regulating Ca2+ storage.
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Claudia B. G. Barnes, Madeline G. Dans, Thorey K. Jonsdottir, Brendan S. Crabb, Paul R. Gilson
Summary: Research has shown that certain PfATP4 inhibitors can prevent malaria parasites from escaping host red blood cells or entering new host cells. These compounds inhibit parasite egress by blocking the activation of protein kinase G, and there is a direct link between egress and the function of PfATP4. Additionally, these inhibitors can induce host cell lysis before parasite replication is complete.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mate Katona, Adam Bartok, Zuzana Nichtova, Gyorgy Csordas, Elena Berezhnaya, David Weaver, Arijita Ghosh, Peter Varnai, David Yule, Gyorgy Hajnoczky
Summary: The study reveals that the IP3 receptor traffics in and out of ER-Mitochondria contacts, and when trapped, enhances calcium signaling to stimulate energy metabolism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shanliang Zheng, Dong Zhao, Guixue Hou, Song Zhao, Wenxin Zhang, Xingwen Wang, Li Li, Liang Lin, Tie-Shan Tang, Ying Hu
Summary: The study demonstrates the interaction between TMCO1 and iASPP in colon cancer, affecting tumor growth and cell apoptosis by modulating Ca2+ homeostasis. Intervention in the iASPP-TMCO1 axis can effectively inhibit tumor progression.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Jody Groenendyk, Wen-An Wang, Alison Robinson, Marek Michalak
Summary: Calreticulin is a crucial protein for cardiac development and maintenance of proper cardiac function. It supports Ca2+-dependent signaling and enhances the efficiency of cardiomyocytes.
Article
Cell Biology
Benjamin Cartes-Saavedra, Josefa Macuada, Daniel Lagos, Duxan Arancibia, Maria E. Andres, Patrick Yu-Wai-Man, Gyoergy Hajnoczky, Veronica Eisner
Summary: Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA), caused by OPA1 mutations, affects Ca2+ homeostasis by modulating ER-mitochondria coupling, potentially contributing to the progression of ADOA.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Yang, Anju Kelkar, Anirudh Sriram, Ryoma Hombu, Thomas A. Hughes, Sriram Neelamegham
Summary: N-linked glycans on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein play a critical role in viral function and infectivity, making them potential drug targets for COVID-19.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui, Aongart Mahittikorn, Polrat Wilairatana, Frederick Ramirez Masangkay, Manas Kotepui
Summary: This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the association between blood calcium levels and malaria severity. Thematic synthesis showed reduced calcium levels in malaria patients, but meta-analysis showed no significant difference in calcium levels between different groups of participants. Regional and age-related variations may influence these outcomes.
Article
Cell Biology
Anat Florentin, David W. Cobb, Jillian D. Fishburn, Michael J. Cipriano, Paul S. Kim, Manuel A. Fierro, Boris Striepen, Vasant Muralidharan
Article
Microbiology
David W. Cobb, Anat Florentin, Manuel A. Fierro, Michelle Krakowiak, Julie M. Moore, Vasant Muralidharan
Article
Immunology
K. Govindasamy, R. Khan, M. Snyder, H. J. Lou, P. Du, H. M. Kudyba, V. Muralidharan, B. E. Turk, P. Bhanot
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2019)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Heather M. Kudyba, Jaime Louzada, Dragan Ljolje, Karl A. Kudyba, Vasant Muralidharan, Joseli Oliveira-Ferreira, Naomi W. Lucchi
Article
Cell Biology
Heather M. Kudybah, David W. Cobb, Manuel A. Fierro, Anat Florentin, Dragan Ljolje, Balwan Singh, Naomi W. Lucchi, Vasant Muralidharan
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Cell Biology
Anat Florentin, David W. Cobb, Heather M. Kudyba, Vasant Muralidharan
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anat Florentin, Dylon R. Stephens, Carrie F. Brooks, Rodrigo P. Baptista, Vasant Muralidharan
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
David W. Cobb, Heather M. Kudyba, Alejandra Villegas, Michael R. Hoopmann, Rodrigo P. Baptista, Baylee Bruton, Michelle Krakowiak, Robert L. Moritz, Vasant Muralidharan
Summary: The study revealed the essential role of Thioredoxin (Trx) superfamily proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of Plasmodium falciparum for parasite survival. By identifying a small molecule inhibitor targeting the redox activities of Trx-domain proteins, the study provides a new direction for future antimalarial drug development.
Review
Microbiology
Heather M. Kudyba, David W. Cobb, Joel Vega-Rodriguez, Vasant Muralidharan
Summary: In recent years, significant progress has been made in genetically manipulating P. falciparum parasites and conditionally controlling protein expression/function, allowing researchers to more effectively study malaria associated with the parasite. Conditional knockdown systems target all 3 components of the central dogma, providing more possibilities for research. These systems are not only suitable for the asexual blood stage of the parasite, but can also be used in other parts of its life cycle, opening up new pathways for antimalarial drug development.
Article
Microbiology
Tahir Hussain, Jose Linera-Gonzalez, John M. Beck, Manuel A. Fierro, Gunnar R. Mair, Ryan C. Smith, Josh R. Beck
Summary: During vertebrate infection, Plasmodium parasites utilize a dual-function pore formed by EXP2 for nutrient transport and effector protein export. This study reveals the importance of EXP2 in intrahepatic parasite development, suggesting that PTEX components also function at the hepatocyte-parasite interface.
Article
Cell Biology
David Anaguano, Watcharatip Dedkhad, Carrie F. Brooks, David W. Cobb, Vasant Muralidharan
Summary: The malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, remodels its host red blood cell by exporting membrane proteins. The process of extracting and exporting these membrane proteins from the parasite plasma membrane remains unknown. This study identified candidate proteins that may be involved in this process and showed that they are essential for parasite growth.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)