Molecule of the Month: Malaria Parasite PTEX
The parasite that causes malaria exports hundreds of proteins to remodel the cells that it infects.
Effective Effectors
Parasite Pump
Sticky Cells
Exploring the Structure
PTEX Dynamics
PTEX is a dynamic protein that changes shape as it pumps effector proteins across the membrane. Two PDB structures capture different states in this process. PDB ID 6e10 captures the AAA+ motor in an asymmetric state that is typical of actively pumping motors. In this image, ATP is shown in white. PDB ID 6e11 captures a more symmetrical state that may represent a resting form of the protein. To explore these structures in more detail, click on the JSmol tab for an interactive JSmol.
Topics for Further Discussion
- The core assembly of PTEX is assisted by several proteins. For example, thioredoxin 2 helps with unfolding proteins that have cysteine amino acids. You can explore it in PDB ID 3ul3.
Related PDB-101 Resources
- Browse Infectious Disease
References
- 7jgh: Ma, R., Lian, T., Huang, R., Renn, J.P., Petersen, J.D., Zimmerberg, J., Duffy, P.E., Tolia, N.H. (2021) Structural basis for placental malaria mediated by Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA. Nat Microbiol 6: 380-391
- 7nnh: Wang, K., Dagil, R., Lavstsen, T., Misra, S.K., Spliid, C.B., Wang, Y., Gustavsson, T., Sandoval, D.R., Vidal-Calvo, E.E., Choudhary, S., Agerbaek, M.O., Lindorff-Larsen, K., Nielsen, M.A., Theander, T.G., Sharp, J.S., Clausen, T.M., Gourdon, P., Salanti, A. (2021) Cryo-EM reveals the architecture of placental malaria VAR2CSA and provides molecular insight into chondroitin sulfate binding. Nat Commun 12: 2956-2956
- 6e10, 6e11: Ho, C.M., Beck, J.R., Lai, M., Cui, Y., Goldberg, D.E., Egea, P.F., Zhou, Z.H. (2018) Malaria parasite translocon structure and mechanism of effector export. Nature 561: 70-75
- Koning-Ward, T.F., Dixon, M.W.A., Tilley, L., Gilson, P.R. (2016) Plasmodium species: master renovators of their host cells. Nat Rev Microbiol 14: 494-507
November 2024, David Goodsell
http://doi.org/10.2210/rcsb_pdb/mom_2024_11