The Toxoplasma gondii parasitophorous vacuole membrane: Transactions across the border

Angela M. Martin, Ting Liu, Bert C. Lynn, Anthony P. Sinai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

The obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii establishes its replication permissive niche within the infected host cell. This niche, the parasitophorous vacuole (PV), is delimited from the host cell cytoplasm by the PV membrane (PVM). In this chapter we highlight the roles of the PVM in the remodeling of host cell architecture, nutrient acquisition, the manipulation of signaling, and touch upon the potential roles in the parasite developmental cycle. We further present the PVM as a unique and dynamic "organelle" found only within the infected cell where it is established outside the parent organism. Despite its importance little is known about the biology of the PVM. There has, however, been a recent renewal of interest in the PVM, the study of which has become more tractable with the application of both classical approaches as well as genomic and proteomic analyses. In this review we discuss the diverse activities associated with the PVM and present pressing questions that remain to be elucidated regarding this enigmatic organelle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-28
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
Volume54
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007

Keywords

  • Host-pathogen interaction
  • Membrane transport
  • Parasitophorous vacuole membrane
  • Signaling
  • Toxoplasma gondii

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology

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