Abstract

Toxoplasma is a protozoan parasite that is uniquely adapted for invading and surviving within a wide range of host cells. The parasite actively invades the cell, forming a novel vacuole that originates from the host cell plasma membrane. The vacuole membrane is rapidly modified to remove host cell proteins and this compartment subsequently resists fusion with all other host cell endocytic compartments. Shortly after invasion, the parasite secretes a variety of proteins by a process of regulation exocytosis and elaborates an extensive array of membranous tubules that form a network connecting with the vacuolar membrane. Understanding the formation and modification of this unique vacuole may reveal novel mechanisms for subverting host cell endocytic pathways that lead to intracellular survival.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)335-344
Number of pages10
JournalSeminars in Cell and Developmental Biology
Volume4
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

Keywords

  • Intracellular
  • Invasion
  • Phagocytosis
  • Secretion
  • Toxoplasma

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