摘要：SummaryPlasmodiumsporozoites invade hepatocytes and transform into liver stages within a parasitophorous vacuole (PV). The parasites then grow and replicate their genome to form exoerythrocytic merozoites that infect red blood cells. We report that the human malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparum (Pf)expresses a C-type ATP-binding cassette transporter,PfABCC2, which marks the transition from invasive sporozoite to intrahepatocytic early liver stage. Using a humanized mouse infection model, we show thatPfABCC2 localizes to the parasite plasma membrane in early and mid-liver stage parasites but is not detectable in late liver stages.Pf abcc2—sporozoites invade hepatocytes, form a PV, and transform into liver stage trophozoites but cannot transition to exoerythrocytic schizogony and fail to transition to blood stage infection. Thus,PfABCC2 is an expression marker for early phases of parasite liver infection and plays an essential role in the successful initiation of liver stage replication.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•PfABCC2 expression marks the transition from sporozoite to early liver stage•PfABCC2 localizes to the early and mid-liver stage plasma membrane•PfABCC2 is critical for initiation of exoerythrocytic schizogony•Pf abcc2–liver stages fail to transition to blood stage infectionBiological sciences; Parasitology; Cell biology
