A lipid-binding protein mediates rhoptry discharge and invasion in Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii parasites

Abstract

Plasmodium and Toxoplasma parasites rely on rhoptry exocytosis for invasion, but the underlying mechanism is not known. Here, Suarez et al. characterize rhoptry apical surface proteins (RASP) that localize to the rhoptry cap and bind charged lipids, and are essential for rhoptry secretion and invasion.