Membrane Transport in the Malaria Parasite

The malaria parasite-infected erythrocyte is one cell inside another and, as such, is a complex multimembrane system. The host erythrocyte is bounded by a plasma membrane, and within the infected erythrocyte cytosol are parasite-derived membranous networks that manifest themselves as Maurers clefts and other tubulovesicular structures. The intraerythrocytic parasite is enclosed within a parasitophorous vacuole membrane, and the parasite itself is bounded by a plasma membrane. Within the parasite is a complex endomembrane system comprising a plethora of membrane-bound compartments (organelles). These include the parasites digestive vacuole, the apicoplast, and the mitochondrion, each of which is the site of action of at least one class of antimalarial drug.