Cellular homoeostasis and cell signalling in malaria parasite: Role of autophagy

Abstract

Autophagy has a direct and indirect role in health and disease. By definition, it is an exceedingly complex process which degrades and modifies damaged and surplus macromolecules in the cell. Autophagy has also been defined as a process which plays a role in dynamics of organelles using enzymes in lysosomes. Malaria parasite, i.e. Plasmodium, is a deadly parasite which encounters various conditions during its life cycle, ranging from temperature fluctuations to drug pressures. Role of autophagy in coping with these changes in Plasmodium is not well defined; however, there is growing evidence for role of this mechanism in life cycle of the parasite. This chapter highlights the link between different homologues of ATG protein present in Plasmodium and explores the mechanisms underlying these connections and their implications for cell physiology and survival of the parasite.