Elucidating Host Cell Uptake by Malaria Parasites

The malaria parasite must digest host cytoplasm for normal growth, and many studies have revealed the essential role of proteases in hemoglobin digestion. Here, we discuss the results of Jonscher et al. ( Cell Host Microbe 2019;25:166–173) who have, for the first time, identified a molecule, VPS45, involved in the uptake and trafficking of host cytoplasm to the digestive vacuole