Unusual properties of Plasmodium falciparum actin: new insights into microfilament dynamics of apicomplexan parasites

摘要: Plasmodium falciparum, the etiologic agent of malaria, is a facultative intracellular parasite phylum Apicomplexa. A limited turnover microfilaments takes place beneath plasma membrane, but cytoplasm apicomplexans virtually devoid F-actin. We produced actin in yeast. Purified recombinant polymerized inefficiently unless both gelsolin and phalloidin were added. The resulting polymers appeared fragmented fluorescence microscope. bound DNaseI about 200 times weaker than bovine non-muscle actin. Our findings suggest that unique properties can explain some unusual features apicomplexan microfilaments.