Host cell invasion by malaria parasites

The complex life cycle of the malaria parasite includes three specialized i nvasive stages, distinct both in terms of their cellular architecture and i n their choice of target host cell. Despite the dissimilarities between the se forms, there are clear parallels in the manner by which they enter their respective host cells. Advances in the area of erythrocyte invasion by the malaria merozoite, outlined here by Chetan Chitnis and Mike Blackman and d iscussed at the Molecular Approaches to Malaria conference, Lorne, Australi a, 2-5 February 2000, will undoubtedly impact on our understanding of mecha nisms of cell entry by the other invasive forms. Similarly, recent progress in dissecting the functional role of surface proteins expressed by sporozo ite and ookinete stages has provided fascinating insights into general aspe cts of invasion by all invasive stages of apicomplexan parasites.