Malaria parasites: enzymes involved in red blood cell invasion
Braz. j. med. biol. res
;
27(2): 363-7, Feb. 1994.
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-140276
RESUMO
Three enzymes have been described in malaria merozoites a serine-protease and two phospholipases. The parasite serine-protease is necessary for parasite entry into the red blood cell. This enzyme is synthesized by intraerythrocytic schizonts as a glycolipid-anchored membrane precursor, harbouring a performed serine-protease active site but not detectable proteolytic activity. Detection of the enzymatic activity correlates with the solubilisation of the enzyme by a parasite glycolipid-specific phospholipase C in merozoites. A third enzyme has been detected with glycolipid-degrading activity, presumably a lipase A. These activities participate in a biochemical cascade originating with the attachment of the merozoite to the red blood cell, including the translocation of the phospholipase C to the membrane-bound protease, the solubilisation/activation of the protease and its secretion at the erytrocyte/parasite junction and ending with the entry of the parasite into the host cell. Both the phospholipase C and the lipase A might generate secondary messages in the merozoite. Our current knowledge concerning these enzymes is presented
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Type C Phospholipases
/
Erythrocytes
/
Serine Proteases
/
Lipase
/
Malaria
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. med. biol. res
Journal subject:
Biology
/
Medicine
Year:
1994
Type:
Article
/
Congress and conference
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