Unusual Functions for the Autophagy Machinery in Apicomplexan Parasites

摘要: Autophagy is a degradative process largely conserved among eukaryotes. Apicomplexan parasites are single-celled eukaryotes with very significant impact on health and economy. Although, these can apparently generate autophagosome-like structures in particular stress conditions, they seem to possess rather rudimentary autophagy machinery. On the other hand, unusually, protein ATG8 localizes constitutively apicoplast, nonphotosynthetic plastid that has important metabolic functions. The enigmatic function of (and related proteins) relation this organelle likely independent from canonical yet it for survival apicomplexan parasites. Further understanding original roles ATG proteins might thus bring insights into new possible therapeutic avenues combat Moreover, remains be clarified how when specialization occurred early-branching eukaryotes, if was accompanied by loss pathway.