Identification and characterization of a novel Plasmodium falciparum merozoite apical protein involved in erythrocyte binding and invasion.

ABSTRACT: Proteins that coat Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface and those secreted from its apical secretory organelles are considered promising candidates for the vaccine against malaria. In the present study, we have identified an asparagine rich parasite protein (PfAARP; Gene ID PFD1105w), that harbors a predicted signal sequence, a C-terminal transmembrane region and whose transcription and translation patterns are similar to some well characterized merozoite surface/apical proteins. PfAARP was localized to the apical end of the merozoites by GFP-targeting approach using an inducible, schizont-stage expression system, by immunofluorescence assays using anti-PfAARP antibodies. Immuno-electron microsopic studies showed that PfAARP is localized in the apical ends of the rhoptries in the merozo

SUBMITTER: Wickramarachchi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2253826 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature