Open AccessRON 12, a novel P lasmodium ‐specific rhoptry neck protein important for parasite proliferation
Author(s) -
Knuepfer Ellen,
Suleyman Oniz,
Dluzewski Anton R.,
Straschil Ursula,
O'Keeffe Aisling H.,
Ogun Solabomi A.,
Green Judith L.,
Grainger Munira,
Tewari Rita,
Holder Anthony A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cellular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.542
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1462-5822
pISSN - 1462-5814
DOI - 10.1111/cmi.12181
Subject(s) - rhoptry , biology , parasite hosting , internalization , microbiology and biotechnology , organelle , secretion , apicomplexa , cell , genetics , immunology , biochemistry , plasmodium falciparum , malaria , world wide web , computer science
Summary A picomplexan parasites invade host cells by a conserved mechanism: parasite proteins are secreted from apical organelles, anchored in the host cell plasma membrane, and then interact with integral membrane proteins on the zoite surface to form the moving junction ( MJ ). The junction moves from the anterior to the posterior of the parasite resulting in parasite internalization into the host cell within a parasitophorous vacuole ( PV ). Conserved as well as coccidia‐unique rhoptry neck proteins ( RONs ) have been described, some of which associate with the MJ . Here we report a novel RON , which we call RON 12. RON 12 is found only in P lasmodium and is highly conserved across the genus. RON 12 lacks a membrane anchor and is a major soluble component of the nascent PV . The bulk of RON 12 secretion happens late during invasion (after parasite internalization) allowing accumulation in the fully formed PV with a small proportion of RON 12 also apparent occasionally in structures resembling the MJ . RON 12, unlike most other RONs is not essential, but deletion of the gene does affect parasite proliferation. The data suggest that although the overall mechanism of invasion by A picomplexanparasites is conserved, additional components depending on the parasite–host cell combination are required.