Molecular mechanism for switching of P-falciparum invasion pathways into human erythrocytes
- Author(s)
- Stubbs, J; Simpson, KM; Triglia, T; Plouffe, D; Tonkin, CJ; Duraisingh, MT; Maier, AG; Winzeler, EA; Cowman, AF;
- Details
- Publication Year 2005-08-26,Volume 309,Issue #5739,Page 1384-1387
- Journal Title
- SCIENCE
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, exploits multiple ligand-receptor interactions, called invasion pathways, to invade the host erythrocyte. Strains of P. falciparum vary in their dependency on sialated red cell receptors for invasion. We show that switching from sialic acid-dependent to -independent invasion is reversible and depends on parasite ligand use. Expression of P. falciparum reticulocyte-binding like homolog 4 (PfRh4) correlates with sialic acid-independent invasion, and PfRh4 is essential for switching invasion pathways. Differential activation of PfRh4 represents a previously unknown mechanism to switch invasion pathways and provides P. falciparum with exquisite adaptability in the face of erythrocyte receptor polymorphisms and host immune responses.
- Publisher
- AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
- Keywords
- PHENOTYPIC VARIATION; MEROZOITE PROTEINS; MALARIA; VIVAX; RECEPTOR; EXPRESSION; DEFINES; HOMOLOG; COMPLEX
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1115257
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2005-08-26 12:00:00