Role of Plasmodium falciparum Protein GEXP07 in Maurer’s Cleft Morphology, Knob Architecture, and P. falciparum EMP1 Trafficking
Emma McHugh, Olivia M. S. Carmo, Adam J. Blanch, Oliver Looker, Boyin Liu, Snigdha Tiash, Dean Andrew, Steven Batinovic, Andy J. Y. Low, Hyun‐Jung Cho, Paul J. McMillan, Leann Tilley, Matthew W. A. Dixon
Abstract
EMP1 and its presentation at the knob structures at the surface of parasite-infected RBCs are central to severe adhesion-related pathologies such as cerebral and placental malaria. This work adds to our understanding of how PfEMP1 is trafficked to the RBC membrane by defining the protein-protein interaction networks that function at the Maurer's clefts controlling PfEMP1 loading and unloading. We characterize a protein needed for virulence protein trafficking and provide new insights into the mechanisms for host cell remodeling, parasite survival within the host, and virulence.