Anion channels in Plasmodium - falciparum -infected erythrocytes and protein kinase A

By replicating within red blood cells, malaria parasites are largely hidden from immune recognition; however, in the cells, nutrients are limiting and hazardous metabolic end products can rapidly accumulate. Therefore, to survive within erythrocytes, parasites alter the permeability of the host plas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in parasitology 2009-03, Vol.25 (3), p.139-144
Main Authors: Merckx, Anaïs, Bouyer, Guillaume, Thomas, Serge L.Y, Langsley, Gordon, Egée, Stéphane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anions
Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology. Molecular biology
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Membrane Permeability
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases - metabolism
Erythrocytes - metabolism
Erythrocytes - parasitology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Gene Expression Regulation
Host-Parasite Interactions
Humans
Infectious Disease
Ion Channels - metabolism
Malaria, Falciparum - parasitology
Plasmodium falciparum - enzymology
Plasmodium falciparum - pathogenicity
Plasmodium falciparum - physiology
Protozoa
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Summary:By replicating within red blood cells, malaria parasites are largely hidden from immune recognition; however, in the cells, nutrients are limiting and hazardous metabolic end products can rapidly accumulate. Therefore, to survive within erythrocytes, parasites alter the permeability of the host plasma membrane, either by upregulating existing transporters or by creating new permeation pathways. Recent electrophysiological studies of Plasmodium -infected erythrocytes have demonstrated that membrane permeability is mediated by transmembrane transport through ion channels in the infected erythrocyte. This article discusses the evidence and controversies concerning the nature of these channels and surveys the potential role of phosphorylation in activating anion channels that could be important in developing novel strategies for future malarial chemotherapies.
ISSN:1471-4922
1471-5007
DOI:10.1016/j.pt.2008.12.005