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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 phase (sporozoite) 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 : recycle the its content. Infact, all the molecules inside are degradated and their components (like aminoacids) are reused in order to synthetise viral proteins.

Disease

Malaria is an infectious and lethal disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitos, leading to the apparition of fever, vomiting, fatigue or even coma. If this disease is not well treated, the symptoms could return even months after and can infect humans as well as other animals. The parasit, a plasmodium type (Plasmodium falciparum for humans), introduced by the female mosquito, will infect the hepatic cells then the victim’s blood in order to destroy the red blood corpuscule.

Relevance

Structural highlights

Atg3 protein

Atg8 protein

Atg8/Atg3 Complex

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