New permeability pathways induced in membranes of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes.

The permeability properties of the membrane of human erythrocytes infected with malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum) were studied by the method of osmotic hemolysis. At the trophozoite stage, the host membrane becomes permeable to substrates such as sorbitol and glucose. The new permeability pathway is insensitive to most inhibitors of the glucose carrier, but is highly susceptible to the membrane dipole modifier phloretin. It is blocked by disaccharides and oligosaccharides, both of which are impermeant to non-infected and infected cells. It has an enthalpy of activation of solute penetration of 10 +/- 1 kcal mol-1 (range of 5-37 degrees C). It appears that new permeability pathways with pore-like properties are induced in parasitized cells. The pore(s) admit(s) neutral and anionic substances of a discrete molecular volume, but exclude(s) cations. Apparently they play an essential role in parasite development.