Table 1.
Plasmodium aspartic proteases: Temporal and spatial location and function
IE, infected erythrocyte; ERAD, endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation.
| Plasmepsin | Stage where functional | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I–IV (IV only for non-falciparum) | Intraerythrocytic (IE) | Digestive vacuole | Hemoglobin degradation |
| V | IE, liver | ER | Effector protein export, dense granule protein maturation |
| VI | Oocyst | ? | ? |
| VII | Zygote, Ookinete | ? | ? |
| VIII | Oocyst | ? | Sporozoite motility and egress |
| IX | IE (late) | Rhoptries | Invasion |
| X | IE (late) | Exonemes | Egress/invasion |
| DdiI | IE | Nucleus | Cell cycle? |
| MiGS | Male gametocytes and gametes | Osmiophilic bodies, cell surface | Exflagellation |
| SPP | IE, liver | ER | ERAD |