Cowman Alan F, Crabb Brendan S
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne 3050, Australia.
Cell. 2006 Feb 24;124(4):755-66. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.02.006.
The malaria parasite is the most important member of the Apicomplexa, a large and highly successful phylum of intracellular parasites. Invasion of host cells allows apicomplexan parasites access to a rich source of nutrients in a niche that is largely protected from host defenses. All Apicomplexa adopt a common mode of host-cell entry, but individual species incorporate unique features and utilize a specific set of ligand-receptor interactions. These adhesins ultimately connect to a parasite actin-based motor, which provides the power for invasion. While some Apicomplexa can invade many different host cells, the disease-associated blood-stage form of the malaria parasite is restricted to erythrocytes.
疟原虫是顶复门中最重要的成员，顶复门是一个庞大且极为成功的细胞内寄生生物门类。宿主细胞的入侵使顶复门寄生虫能够在一个很大程度上免受宿主防御的生态位中获取丰富的营养来源。所有顶复门生物都采用一种共同的宿主细胞进入模式，但不同物种具有独特特征并利用特定的一组配体 - 受体相互作用。这些黏附素最终连接到基于肌动蛋白的寄生虫运动器，该运动器为入侵提供动力。虽然一些顶复门生物可以入侵许多不同的宿主细胞，但疟原虫与疾病相关的血液阶段形式仅限于红细胞。
