Phenotypic variation of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite proteins directs receptor targeting for invasion of human erythrocytes
- Author(s)
- Duraisingh, MT; Triglia, T; Ralph, SA; Rayner, JC; Barnwell, JW; McFadden, GI; Cowman, AF;
- Details
- Publication Year 2003-03-03,Volume 22,Issue #5,Page 1047-1057
- Journal Title
- EMBO JOURNAL
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- The members of the phylum Apicomplexa parasitize a wide range of eukaryotic host cells. Plasmodium falciparum, responsible for the most virulent form of malaria, invades human erythrocytes using several specific and high affinity ligand-receptor interactions that define invasion pathways. We find that members of the P.falciparum reticulocyte-binding homolog protein family, PfRh2a and PfRh2b, are expressed variantly in different lines. Targeted gene disruption shows that PfRh2b mediates a novel invasion pathway and that it functions independently of other related proteins. Phenotypic variation of the PfRh protein family allows P.falciparum to exploit different patterns of receptors on the erythrocyte surface and thereby respond to polymorphisms in erythrocyte receptors and to evade the host immune system.
- Publisher
- OXFORD UNIV PRESS
- Keywords
- RETICULOCYTE BINDING-PROTEINS; YOELII ADHESIVE PROTEINS; KDA RHOPTRY PROTEIN; RED-BLOOD-CELL; VIVAX; GLYCOPHORIN; MALARIA; FAMILY; EXPRESSION; GENES
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1093/emboj/cdg096
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2003-03-03 12:00:00