顶复门原虫TRAP蛋白研究进展

Advances in research on the TRAP protein fromToxoplasma gondii

本文对顶复门原虫入侵相关蛋白-TRAP蛋白(Thrombospondin-related anonymous protein)的主要组成蛋白分子及其在运动与宿主细胞入侵过程中的分子机制等方面的进行综述,旨在总结现已发现的顶复门原虫TRAP相关蛋白在虫体运动和免疫保护方面的研究概况,并对该类蛋白将来的研究方向进行展望。

The thrombospondin--related anonymous protein （TRAP） is associated with invasion by apicomplexan protozoa. This paper reviews the TRAP protein in terms of its major components and its molecular mechanism of action during invasion of host cells. This paper summarizes recent advances in research on the molecular mechanisms by which TRAP facilitates apicomplexan invasion and protection from the immune system. This protein is characterized by the presence of one or more thrombospondin type-I repeat （TSR） domains and/or von Willebrand factor （vWF）- like A domains in the extracellular portion and a cytoplasmic tail domain （CTD） with a sub-terminal tryptophan residue. Plasrnodium TRAP is the most extensively studied transmembrane protein and is essential for sporozoite motility and hepatocyte invasion. The TRAP protein family is found throughout the Apicornplexa phylum and their association with the parasites motility and invasion make them an attractive drug and vaccine target. This paper also describes prospects for future research on the TRAP protein.