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Function

    The autophagy related proteins (Atg) are proteins which purpose is to help the parasite to survive and develop. Atg8 and Atg3 are both involved in the autophagy process, by creating an autophagosome and then making it grow. The autophagosome can be compared to a vacuole and absorbs the components of the cytoplasm (in a non specific way). When the growing (sporozoite) phase of the cell is over,in the case of Plasmodium Falciparum, the autophagy is launched by the cell in order to become erythrocytic-infective. This is the time when the cell starts its viral activity. Lysosomes then merge with the autophagosme to form the autolysosome. Once this process is done, the autolysosome can complete its purpose : to recycle the autolysosome content. Infact, all the molecules inside are degradated and their components (like the aminoacids) are reused in order to synthetise viral proteins.

Disease

Relevance

Structural highlights

Atg3 protein

Atg8 protein

Atg8/Atg3 Complex

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