Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42827199›Full record

ArticleNature microbiology2026

A conserved GTPase complex gates exocytosis for defence and parasitism across alveolates.

Marta Mendonça Cova, Lucas Morley, Marjorie Maynadier, Jason Delabre, Arnault Graindorge, Laurence Berry-Sterkers, Shrawan Kumar Mageswaran, Valérie Rofidal, Cameron J Powell, Martin J Boulanger and 3 more

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Nature microbiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Marta Mendonça Cova *Laboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity, LPHI, UMR 5294 CNRS, UA15 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6727-248X
Lucas Morley *Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-7915-6626
Marjorie MaynadierLaboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity, LPHI, UMR 5294 CNRS, UA15 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Jason DelabreLaboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity, LPHI, UMR 5294 CNRS, UA15 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Arnault GraindorgeLaboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity, LPHI, UMR 5294 CNRS, UA15 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6076-3646
Laurence Berry-SterkersLaboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity, LPHI, UMR 5294 CNRS, UA15 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Shrawan Kumar MageswaranDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Valérie RofidalIPSiM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France.
Cameron J PowellDepartments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5889-8963
Martin J BoulangerDepartments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6835-9309
Yi-Wei ChangDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. ywc@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2391-473X
Daniela SparvoliLaboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity, LPHI, UMR 5294 CNRS, UA15 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. daniela.sparvoli@umontpellier.fr.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5992-3753
Maryse LebrunLaboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity, LPHI, UMR 5294 CNRS, UA15 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. maryse.lebrun@umontpellier.fr.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0962-0156

Funding

Molecular Mechanisms and Evolution of the Rhoptry Secretion SystemR35GM156396 · NIGMS · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI YI-WEI CHANG · 2025 to 2026
$957k
Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) 1022785David and Lucile Packard Foundation (David & Lucile Packard Foundation) 2019-69645EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council) 833309NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM156396U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH) R35GM156396
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Regulated protein secretion is a fundamental process by which eukaryotic cells respond to and interact with their dynamic environments, yet its mechanism outside metazoans remains largely unknown. Here we uncover an atypical small GTPase complex (Nd-GTPase-Nd9-NdP1) conserved across the Alveolata-a major eukaryotic clade encompassing ciliates and apicomplexan parasites-that gates organelle exocytosis for diverse functions ranging from cellular defence to host invasion. Using Tetrahymena thermophila and Toxoplasma gondii as comparative models, we combine functional genetics, cryo-electron tomography and integrative structural modelling to show that this complex maintains the organelle secretory apparatus in a pre-secretion state and permits activation upon stimulation. Comparative analysis further reveals that apicomplexan parasites rely on an apical vesicle to tighten control over secretion. These findings define a unifying principle of gated alveolate exocytosis, illustrating how evolution remodels an ancient secretion system to meet specialized cellular demands, and underlie key mechanisms of parasite virulence.

Identifiers

PMID42827199

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.