The inner membrane complex through development ofToxoplasma gondiiandPlasmodium

Abstract

SummaryPlasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are important human and veterinary pathogens. These parasites possess an unusual double membrane structure located directly below the plasma membrane named the inner membrane complex (IMC). First identified in early electron micrograph studies, huge advances in genetic manipulation of the Apicomplexa have allowed the visualization of a dynamic, highly structured cellular compartment with important roles in maintaining the structure and motility of these parasites. This review summarizes recent advances in the field and highlights the changes the IMC undergoes during the complex life cycles of the Apicomplexa.

The development of malaria parasites in the mosquito midgut

“…Gametocytes possess an inner membrane complex (IMC) underneath their plasmalemma, which consists of flat membranous sacs, the alveoli, and supporting structural elements and which is thought to be required for the stability of the crescent‐shaped parasite stages (Dearnley et al ., 2012; Kono et al ., 2012; Simon et al ., 2013; reviewed in Harding and Meissner, 2014; Boucher and Bosch, 2015). During gametogenesis, the IMC disintegrates, resulting in gametes solely confined by the plasmalemma.…”

The Role of Palmitoylation for Protein Recruitment to the Inner Membrane Complex of the Malaria Parasite

“…For dinoflagellates and ciliates, largely aquatic groups, the IMC appears to have a predominantly structural role in cell architecture. However, for apicomplexans, an additional function is its role in cell motility and cytokinesis (5).…”

“…To date, over 25 IMC resident proteins have been identified (3,5). Phylogenetic analysis has demonstrated that in addition to a common core set of conserved proteins, the IMC includes many lineage-specific proteins, reflecting additional adaptations to specialized requirements of the compartment within the respective phylogenetic group (6).…”

Gliding motility in apicomplexan parasites

“…The shape and functional integrity of the cell is dependentupon an elaborate cytoskeletal network that subtends a trilaminar membranous pellicle consisting of the plasma membrane and a subjacent platform of one or more flattened vesicles, the alveolar membranes, a feature that unifies the Alveolata [8][9][10][11] (Fig 1d). The alveolar membranes, together with their cytoskeletal infrastructure, constitute the inner membrane complex (IMC) of the pellicle, a domain of the parasite that has received significant attention given its role in anchoring the gliding motor complex [12].…”