The origin and evolution of the acidocalcisome and its interactions with other organelles

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2015 Oct 30. pii: S0166-6851(15)30034-7. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.10.003. [Epub ahead of print

 

Docampo R¹.

Acidocalcisomes are acidic calcium stores that have been found from bacteria to human cells. They are rich in phosphorus compounds in the form of orthophosphate (P_i), pyrophosphate (PP_i), and polyphosphate (polyP) and their acidity is maintained by proton pumps such as the vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase (V-H⁺-PPase, or VP1), the vacuolar proton ATPase (V-H⁺-ATPase), or both. Recent studies in trypanosomatids and in other species have revealed their role in phosphate metabolism, and cation and water homeostasis, as suggested by the presence of novel pumps, transporters, and channels. An important role in autophagy has also been described. The study of the biogenesis of acidocalcisomes as well as of the interactions of these lysosome-related organelles with other organelles have uncovered important roles in calcium signaling and osmoregulation.
Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

KEYWORDS:

Acidocalcisome; Calcium; Malaria; Polyphosphate; Toxoplasma; Trypanosome; Vacuole

PMID:

26523947

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]