Structural and Biophysical Characteristics of the interaction of the PfRh proteins with their ligands and inhibitory antibodies: understanding an interactionessential for the invasion of erythrocytes by the malaria parasite

Invasion of host erythrocytes is essential to the life cycle of Plasmodium parasites and the development of the pathology of malaria. The stages of erythrocyte invasion, including initial contact, apical reorientation, junction formation, and active invagination, are directed by coordinated release of specialized apical organelles and their parasite protein contents. Among these proteins, and central to invasion by all species, are two parasite protein families, the reticulocyte-binding protein homologue (RH) and erythrocyte-binding like proteins, which mediate host-parasite interactions. RH5 from Plasmodium falciparum (PfRH5) is the only member of either family demonstrated to be necessary for erythrocyte invasion in all tested strains, through its interaction with the erythrocyte surface protein basigin (also known as CD147 and EMMPRIN). Antibodies targeting PfRH5 or basigin efficiently block parasite invasion in vitro, making PfRH5 an excellent vaccine candidate.

Basic Science
Vaccines

Oct 2010 — Sep 2014

$244,251

United Kingdom