Investigation of a translocon complex implicated in protein transport to the apicoplast of Plasmodium falciparum

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jude Marek Przyborski
• Subject Area: Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2008 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 85997262

Malaria parasites contain an apicoplast, a complex plastid gained by a secondary endosymbiotic event. This apicoplast is an essential organelle, as it is the site of several important biochemical pathways, including isoprenoid and fatty acid synthesis. For this reason, the plasmodial apicoplast has attracted much research interest, due to the unusual biochemical pathways it contains, and its evolutionary history. Most proteins required for these biosynthetic pathways are encoded in the nucleus, and as such must be targeted and translocated across the four membranes surrounding the apicoplast. Whilst the signals required for targeting of proteins to this compartment have been largely elucidated in recent years, the mechanisms by which proteins cross these multiple membranes remain to a great extent, enigmatic. It is the goal of this project to identify the molecular machinery required for this transport process, and characterise this membrane translocation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants