Plasmodium falciparum possesses two GRASP proteins that are differentially targeted to the Golgi complex via a higher- and lower-eukaryote-like mechanism

Struck, N. S. et al. (2008) Plasmodium falciparum possesses two GRASP proteins that are differentially targeted to the Golgi complex via a higher- and lower-eukaryote-like mechanism. Journal of Cell Science, 121(13), pp. 2123-2129. (doi: 10.1242/jcs.021154) (PMID:18522993)

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, relies on a complex protein-secretion system for protein targeting into numerous subcellular destinations. Recently, a homologue of the Golgi re-assembly stacking protein (GRASP) was identified and used to characterise the Golgi organisation in this parasite. Here, we report on the presence of a splice variant that leads to the expression of a GRASP isoform. Although the first GRASP protein (GRASP1) relies on a well-conserved myristoylation motif, the variant (GRASP2) displays a different N-terminus, similar to GRASPs found in fungi. Phylogenetic analyses between GRASP proteins of numerous taxa point to an independent evolution of the unusual N-terminus that could reflect unique requirements for Golgi-dependent protein sorting and organelle biogenesis in P. falciparum. Golgi association of GRASP2 depends on the hydrophobic N-terminus that resembles a signal anchor, leading to a unique mode of Golgi targeting and membrane attachment.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Marti, Professor Matthias
• Authors: Struck, N. S., Herrmann, S., Langer, C., Krueger, A., Foth, B. J., Engelberg, K., Cabrera, A. L., Haase, S., Treeck, M., Marti, M., Cowman, A. F., Spielmann, T., and Gilberger, T. W.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Cell Science
• Publisher: Company of Biologists
• ISSN: 0021-9533
• ISSN (Online): 1477-9137
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Cell Science 121(13):2123-2129
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher