The diversity of cellular phospholipids, crucial for membrane homeostasis and function, arises from enzymatic remodeling of their fatty acyl chains. In this work, we reveal that poorly understood TRAM-LAG1-CLN8 domain (TLCD)-containing proteins are phospholipid remodeling enzymes. We demonstrate that TLCD1 is an evolutionarily conserved lysophosphatidylethanolamine acyltransferase, which regulates cellular phospholipid composition and generates previously undescribed fatty acid and thiamine (vitamin B1) esters as its secondary products.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhospholipid metabolism is crucial for membrane biogenesis and homeostasis of Plasmodium falciparum. To generate such phospholipids, the parasite extensively scavenges, recycles, and reassembles host lipids. P.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum possesses unique gliding machinery referred to as the glideosome that powers its entry into the insect and vertebrate hosts. Several parasite proteins including Photosensitized INA-labelled protein 1 (PhIL1) have been shown to associate with glideosome machinery. Here we describe a novel PhIL1 associated protein complex that co-exists with the glideosome motor complex in the inner membrane complex of the merozoite.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhospholipid synthesis is crucial for membrane proliferation in malaria parasites during the entire cycle in the host cell. The major phospholipid of parasite membranes, phosphatidylcholine (PC), is mainly synthesized through the Kennedy pathway. The phosphocholine required for this synthetic pathway is generated by phosphorylation of choline derived from the catabolism of the lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) scavenged from the host milieu.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF