Nature Communications (Mar 2023)

Cryo-tomography reveals rigid-body motion and organization of apicomplexan invasion machinery

  • Long Gui,
  • William J. O’Shaughnessy,
  • Kai Cai,
  • Evan Reetz,
  • Michael L. Reese,
  • Daniela Nicastro

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37327-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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In this study, the authors use cryo-focused-ion-beammilling and cryo-electron tomography to image the apical complex of parasites in their native states. They report insights into the parasite invasion machinery in its protruded and retracted states in three dimensions, including all cytoskeletal assemblies, secretory organelles, and membranes intact.