Electrophysiological studies of malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes: Current status

Henry M. Staines*, Abdulnaser Alkhalil, Richard J. Allen, Hugo R. De Jonge, Elvira Derbyshire, Stéphane Egée, Hagai Ginsburg, David A. Hill, Stephan M. Huber, Kiaran Kirk, Florian Lang, Godfrey Lisk, Eugene Oteng, Ajay D. Pillai, Kempaiah Rayavara, Sherin Rouhani, Kevin J. Saliba, Crystal Shen, Tsione Solomon, Serge L.Y. ThomasPatrick Verloo, Sanjay A. Desai

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debate

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

The altered permeability characteristics of erythrocytes infected with malaria parasites have been a source of interest for over 30 years. Recent electrophysiological studies have provided strong evidence that these changes reflect transmembrane transport through ion channels in the host erythrocyte plasma membrane. However, conflicting results and differing interpretations of the data have led to confusion in this field. In an effort to unravel these issues, the groups involved recently came together for a week of discussion and experimentation. In this article, the various models for altered transport are reviewed, together with the areas of consensus in the field and those that require a better understanding.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)475-482
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal for Parasitology
Volume37
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2007

Keywords

  • Ion channels
  • New permeability pathways
  • Oxidation
  • Patch-clamp
  • Plasmodium
  • PSAC

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