Investigation of a translocon complex implicated in protein transport to the apicoplast of Plasmodium falciparum

疟疾寄生虫含有一个顶质体，这是一个由次生内共生事件获得的复杂质体。顶质体是一个重要的细胞器，因为它是几个重要的生化途径的所在地，包括类异戊二烯和脂肪酸的合成。因此，由于其所包含的不同寻常的生化途径及其进化史，质体顶质体引起了广泛的研究兴趣。这些生物合成途径所需的大多数蛋白质都是在细胞核中编码的，因此必须靶向并在顶质体周围的四层膜上转运。虽然近年来蛋白质靶向这种隔室所需的信号已经在很大程度上被阐明，但蛋白质穿越这些多膜的机制在很大程度上仍然是谜。这个项目的目标是确定这种运输过程所需的分子机制，并表征这种膜易位。

Malaria parasites contain an apicoplast, a complex plastid gained by a secondary endosymbiotic event. This apicoplast is an essential organelle, as it is the site of several important biochemical pathways, including isoprenoid and fatty acid synthesis. For this reason, the plasmodial apicoplast has attracted much research interest, due to the unusual biochemical pathways it contains, and its evolutionary history. Most proteins required for these biosynthetic pathways are encoded in the nucleus, and as such must be targeted and translocated across the four membranes surrounding the apicoplast. Whilst the signals required for targeting of proteins to this compartment have been largely elucidated in recent years, the mechanisms by which proteins cross these multiple membranes remain to a great extent, enigmatic. It is the goal of this project to identify the molecular machinery required for this transport process, and characterise this membrane translocation.