A MEMBRANE NETWORK FOR NUTRIENT IMPORT IN RED-CELLS INFECTED WITH THEMALARIA PARASITE

The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exports an interconne cted network of tubovesicular membranes (the TVM) that extends from th e parasite's vacuolar membrane to the periphery of the red cell. Here it is shown that extracellular solutes such as Lucifer yellow enter th e TVM and are delivered to the parasite. Blocking the assembly of the network blocked the delivery of exogenous Lucifer yellow, nucleosides, and amino acids to the parasite without inhibiting secretion of plasm odial; proteins. These data suggest that the NM is a transport network that allows nutrients efficient access to the parasite and could be u sed to deliver antimalarial drugs directly into the parasite.