Plasmepsin V cleaves malaria effector proteins in a distinct endoplasmic reticulum translocation interactome for export to the erythrocyte

Nat Microbiol. 2018 Sep;3(9):1010-1022. doi: 10.1038/s41564-018-0219-2. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum exports hundreds of virulence proteins within infected erythrocytes, a process that requires cleavage of a pentameric motif called Plasmodium export element or vacuolar transport signal by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protease plasmepsin V. We identified plasmepsin V-binding proteins that form a unique interactome required for the translocation of effector cargo into the parasite ER. These interactions are functionally distinct from the Sec61-signal peptidase complex required for the translocation of proteins destined for the classical secretory pathway. This interactome does not involve the signal peptidase (SPC21) and consists of PfSec61, PfSPC25, plasmepsin V and PfSec62, which is an essential component of the post-translational ER translocon. Together, they form a distinct portal for the recognition and translocation of a large subset of Plasmodium export element effector proteins into the ER, thereby remodelling the infected erythrocyte that is required for parasite survival and pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Biological Transport / genetics
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Cell Membrane / physiology
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / pathology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / pathogenicity
  • SEC Translocation Channels / genetics
  • SEC Translocation Channels / metabolism*
  • Virulence Factors

Substances

  • SEC Translocation Channels
  • Virulence Factors
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • plasmepsin