BACKGROUND: Intraerythrocytic @entity311 parasites actively import obligate nutrients from serum and export proteins and lipids to erythrocyte cytoplasm and membrane. The import of macromolecules in the @entity311 parasite has been the subject of many debates. To understand the import of macromolecules by the parasite, we studied the uptake of proteins by @entity3964 infected @entity1 erythrocyte. METHODS: Proteins were @entity1885 labelled individually, purified on a gel filtration column and added to uninfected and infected asynchronized culture. The uptake of these proteins by @entity311 parasites was determined by western blot analysis of parasite pellet and their different fractions using streptavidin-horseradish conjugate. To further confirm this import, we studied the uptake of 125I-labelled proteins by western blot analysis as well as used direct immunofluorescence method. RESULTS: Here we show that @entity1885 labelled and radio-iodinated polypeptides of molecular sizes in the range of 45 to 206 kDa, when added in the culture medium, get direct access to the parasite membrane through a membrane network by by-passing the erythrocyte cytosol. The import of these polypeptides is @entity855 -dependent as @entity4627 treatment blocks this uptake. We also show that @entity311 parasites have the ability to take up and degrade @entity1885 labelled human serum albumin, which has been shown to be essential for the parasite growth. CONCLUSIONS: These results can be used, as a basis to explore the role of human serum albumin in the intraerythrocytic development of parasites, and this in turn can be an important adjunct to the development of novel antimalarial drugs.

Uptake of proteins and degradation of human serum albumin by XXXX -infected @entity1 erythrocytes.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human'] @entity1885 :: ('MESH:D001710', 'Chemical') :: ['biotin'] @entity3964 :: ('5833', 'Species') :: ['Plasmodium falciparum'] @entity311 :: ('MESH:D008288', 'Disease') :: ['malaria'] @entity4627 :: ('MESH:D019810', 'Chemical') :: ['sodium azide'] @entity855 :: ('MESH:D000255', 'Chemical') :: ['ATP']
@entity3964 :: (5833,Species) :: ['Plasmodium falciparum']
