Abstract

Apicomplexan parasites are an ancient group of protozoan parasites that includes several significant pathogens of humans and animals. To target and invade host cells they use a unique form of actin-based motility, called gliding motility. At the centre of the molecular motor that underlies this unique mode of locomotion are short, highly dynamic actin filaments. Recent molecular work, along with the availability of completed genomes for several Apicomplexa, has highlighted unique features of parasite actin and its regulation — features that might provide new ways to block motility and, consequently, prevent infection and disease.

Author affiliations

1. Jake Baum and Alan F. Cowman are at the Division of Infection and Immunity, and Anthony T. Papenfuss and Terence P. Speed are at the Division of Bioinformatics, in The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
2. Buzz Baum is at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, 91 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7BS, UK.
3. These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence to: Alan F. Cowman¹ Email: cowman@wehi.edu.au

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