ABSTRACT
This chapter presents thinking about protein transport in the malaria-infected erythrocyte, the distribution of parasite proteins in the cytoplasm, and the association of parasite molecules with different membrane structures in the infected cell. Proteins associated with sequestration, the “S” antigens, the glycophorin-binding proteins, the export protein, and the transferrin-binding protein will be used to illustrate specific points about protein transport to different sites in infected cells, and their association with different membrane structures. In addition to synthesizing new proteins, the parasite creates new membranous structures and alters the host cell membrane by the addition of new lipids. Much of the information on membrane biogenesis and on lipid changes in the infected red cell is derived from ultrastructural studies. Malaria parasites may provide a unique model for studying protein transport and membrane biogenesis, since the parasite is the only source of new membranes and proteins in the infected cell.
