Distinct lipid compositions of parasite and host cell plasma membranes from Plasmodium chabaudi-infected erythrocytes.

Mouse erythrocytes infected with early or late trophozoites of the malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi were fractionated into free parasites and host cell plasma membranes, and both fractions were analyzed for cholesterol content and the composition of phospholipids and total fatty acids. The major results are: (i) parasites contain only a very low level of cholesterol which is about one-tenth of that of host cell plasma membranes. (ii) Parasites also contain less sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine as well as more phosphatidylcholine than host cell plasma membranes. (iii) Parasites contain less 18:0 and 18:1 and more 18:2 and 20:4 fatty acids than host cell plasma membranes. (iv) During intraerythrocytic growth of parasites from early to late trophozoites, the relative proportions of cholesterol and phospholipids remain largely unchanged in both parasites and host cell plasma membranes. However, significant changes occur in the fatty composition of both compartments. There is an increase in the 20:4 and a decrease in the 18:0 and 18:1 fatty acids. (v) Plasma membranes of infected and non-infected erythrocytes exhibit about the same cholesterol content and phospholipid composition, but differ in the total fatty acid composition. Our data suggest the existence of distinct mechanisms controlling the different lipid compositions of parasites and host cell plasma membranes in whole Plasmodium chabaudi-infected erythrocytes during intraerythrocytic development of parasites, though both compartments are known to depend on the supply of various lipids from the host.