Biomaterial Database

Phospholipid composition, cholesterol content and cholesterol exchange in Plasmodium falciparum-infected red cells. 1990

P A Maguire, and I W Sherman

Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside 92521.

The membrane lipid composition and [3H]cholesterol exchange rate were studied in both normal human erythrocytes and those infected with the human malaria Plasmodium falciparum. The host cell membrane was separated from parasite membranes using the Affigel (731) bead method. The purity of the membrane preparation was very high, as judged by SDS-PAGE, and in several instances was estimated to be greater than 98% as determined by the activity of the parasite membrane-specific enzyme, choline phosphotransferase. No difference was found in the content of phosphatidylethanolamine and only small changes were observed for phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine. The sphingomyelin content in red cell membranes of both trophozoite- and schizont-infected cells was up to 47% less than that of uninfected cells, and the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was decreased 55%. Trophozoite- and schizont-infected cells exchanged 29 and 33% less cholesterol, respectively, than uninfected cells. These changes in lipid composition and cholesterol exchange could have a marked effect on the function of the red cell membrane of malaria-infected cells and may be responsible, in part, for the increased fluidity and permeability of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008288	Malaria	A protozoan disease caused in humans by four species of the PLASMODIUM genus: PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM; PLASMODIUM VIVAX; PLASMODIUM OVALE; and PLASMODIUM MALARIAE; and transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito of the genus ANOPHELES. Malaria is endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Oceania, and certain Caribbean islands. It is characterized by extreme exhaustion associated with paroxysms of high FEVER; SWEATING; shaking CHILLS; and ANEMIA. Malaria in ANIMALS is caused by other species of plasmodia.	Marsh Fever,Plasmodium Infections,Remittent Fever,Infections, Plasmodium,Paludism,Fever, Marsh,Fever, Remittent,Infection, Plasmodium,Plasmodium Infection
D008563	Membrane Lipids	Lipids, predominantly phospholipids, cholesterol and small amounts of glycolipids found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. These lipids may be arranged in bilayers in the membranes with integral proteins between the layers and peripheral proteins attached to the outside. Membrane lipids are required for active transport, several enzymatic activities and membrane formation.	Cell Membrane Lipid,Cell Membrane Lipids,Membrane Lipid,Lipid, Cell Membrane,Lipid, Membrane,Lipids, Cell Membrane,Lipids, Membrane,Membrane Lipid, Cell,Membrane Lipids, Cell
D010743	Phospholipids	Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system.	Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D010963	Plasmodium falciparum	A species of protozoa that is the causal agent of falciparum malaria (MALARIA, FALCIPARUM). It is most prevalent in the tropics and subtropics.	Plasmodium falciparums,falciparums, Plasmodium
D011108	Polymers	Compounds formed by the joining of smaller, usually repeating, units linked by covalent bonds. These compounds often form large macromolecules (e.g., BIOPOLYMERS; PLASTICS).	Polymer
D002458	Cell Fractionation	Techniques to partition various components of the cell into SUBCELLULAR FRACTIONS.	Cell Fractionations,Fractionation, Cell,Fractionations, Cell
D002784	Cholesterol	The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.	Epicholesterol
D002798	Diacylglycerol Cholinephosphotransferase	An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of phosphatidylcholines from CDPcholine and 1,2-diacylglycerols. EC 2.7.8.2.	Cholinephosphotransferase,Phosphorylcholine-Glyceride Transferase,1-alkyl-2-Acetylglycerol Cholinephosphotransferase,CDP-Choline 1,2-Diglyceride Choline Phosphotransferase,CDP-Choline Cholinephosphotransferase,CDP-Diacylglycerol Synthase,Diacylglycerol-CDP Choline Phosphotransferase,PAF Phosphocholinetransferase,Phosphocholinetransferase,Phosphorylcholineglyceride Transferase,CDP Choline 1,2 Diglyceride Choline Phosphotransferase,CDP Choline Cholinephosphotransferase,CDP Diacylglycerol Synthase,Choline Phosphotransferase, Diacylglycerol-CDP,Cholinephosphotransferase, 1-alkyl-2-Acetylglycerol,Cholinephosphotransferase, CDP-Choline,Cholinephosphotransferase, Diacylglycerol,Diacylglycerol CDP Choline Phosphotransferase,Phosphocholinetransferase, PAF,Phosphorylcholine Glyceride Transferase,Phosphotransferase, Diacylglycerol-CDP Choline,Synthase, CDP-Diacylglycerol,Transferase, Phosphorylcholine-Glyceride,Transferase, Phosphorylcholineglyceride
D002845	Chromatography	Techniques used to separate mixtures of substances based on differences in the relative affinities of the substances for mobile and stationary phases. A mobile phase (fluid or gas) passes through a column containing a stationary phase of porous solid or liquid coated on a solid support. Usage is both analytical for small amounts and preparative for bulk amounts.	Chromatographies
D004910	Erythrocyte Membrane	The semi-permeable outer structure of a red blood cell. It is known as a red cell 'ghost' after HEMOLYSIS.	Erythrocyte Ghost,Red Cell Cytoskeleton,Red Cell Ghost,Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton, Erythrocyte,Cytoskeleton, Red Cell,Erythrocyte Cytoskeletons,Erythrocyte Ghosts,Erythrocyte Membranes,Ghost, Erythrocyte,Ghost, Red Cell,Membrane, Erythrocyte,Red Cell Cytoskeletons,Red Cell Ghosts