Membrane-Associated Proteins in Giardia lamblia

Abstract

The manner in which membrane-associated proteins interact with the membrane defines their subcellular fate and function. This interaction relies on the characteristics of the proteins, their journey after synthesis, and their interaction with other proteins or enzymes. Understanding these properties may help to define the function of a protein and also the role of an organelle. In the case of microorganisms like protozoa parasites, it may help to understand singular features that will eventually lead to the design of parasite-specific drugs. The protozoa parasite Giardia lamblia is an example of a widespread parasite that has been infecting humans and animals from ancestral times, adjusting itself to the changes of the environment inside and outside the host. Several membrane-associated proteins have been posted in the genome database GiardiaDB, although only a few of them have been characterized. This review discusses the data regarding membrane-associated proteins in relationship with lipids and specific organelles and their implication in the discovery of anti-giardial therapies.

Phosphoinositide-binding proteins mark, shape and functionally modulate highly-diverged endocytic compartments in the parasitic protistGiardia lamblia

“…Given that several types of PIP-binding modules have been identified in eukaryotes, we determined how many endocytosis-associated module types were actually represented in the Giardia genome, in addition to the known G. lamblia epsin, FYVE and PXD variants [19–23]. For this reason, we selected a total of 14 protein types from various organisms known to harbor PIP-binding domains, some of them involved in endocytosis.…”

Combined nanometric and phylogenetic analysis of unique endocytic compartments in Giardia lamblia sheds light on the evolution of endocytosis in Fornicata

“…Subsequent to ingestion and excystation, Giardia trophozoites attach to the intestinal lumen, proliferating and encysting on localised foci throughout the mucosa of the small intestine (Barash et al 2017). Nutrients required for this propagation are taken up from the environment through PV/PEC-mediated endocytosis of fluid phase and membrane bound material (Lanfredi-Rangel et al 1998; Adam 2001; Abodeely et al 2009; Carranza and Lujan 2009; Cotton et al 2011; Zumthor et al 2016; Touz et al 2018). Despite the essential nature of these endocytic organelles, complete resolution of the ultrastructure of the Giardia endocytic pathway remains unsolved.…”

Combined nanometric and phylogenetic analysis of unique endocytic compartments in Giardia lamblia sheds light on the evolution of endocytosis in Metamonada

“…The Giardia endocytic organelle system consists of three classes of membrane compartments Subsequent to ingestion and excystation, Giardia trophozoites attach to the intestinal lumen, proliferating and encysting on localized foci throughout the mucosa of the small intestine [98]. Nutrients required for this propagation are taken up from the environment through PV/PEC-mediated endocytosis of fluid phase and membrane-bound material [24,27,30,[99][100][101][102]. Despite the essential nature of these endocytic organelles, complete resolution of the ultrastructure of the Giardia endocytic pathway remains unsolved.…”