biostudies-literatureRehn TDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftJürgen Manchot StiftungLeibniz Center Infection1183https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9230084biostudies-literatureUnknown10(6)<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>-infected erythrocytes (<i>Pf</i>IEs) adhere to endothelial cell receptors (ECRs) of blood vessels mainly via <i>Pf</i>EMP1 proteins to escape elimination via the spleen. Evidence suggests that <i>P. vivax</i>-infected reticulocytes (<i>Pv</i>IRs) also bind to ECRs, presumably enabled by VIR proteins, as shown by inhibition experiments and studies with transgenic <i>P. falciparum</i> expressing <i>vir</i> genes. To test this hypothesis, our study investigated the involvement of VIR proteins in cytoadhesion using <i>vir</i> gene-expressing <i>P. falciparum</i> transfectants. Those VIR proteins with a putative transmembrane domain were present in Maurer's clefts, and some were also present in the erythrocyte membrane. The VIR protein without a transmembrane domainMicroorganismsEctopic Expression of <i>Plasmodium vivax vir</i> Genes in <i>P. falciparum</i> Affects Cytoadhesion via Increased Expression of Specific <i>var</i> Genes.PMC9230084Jana BrehmerTorben RehnBR 1744/12-1BR1744/12-1Rehn TLubiana PRoeder TPansegrau EMetwally NGRoth LKBrehmer JBruchhaus INguyen THTSchmitt MCadar DfalseEctopic Expression of <i>Plasmodium vivax vir</i> Genes in <i>P. falciparum</i> Affects Cytoadhesion via Increased Expression of Specific <i>var</i> Genes.<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>-infected erythrocytes (<i>Pf</i>IEs) adhere to endothelial cell receptors (ECRs) of blood vessels mainly via <i>Pf</i>EMP1 proteins to escape elimination via the spleen. Evidence suggests that <i>P. vivax</i>-infected reticulocytes (<i>Pv</i>IRs) also bind to ECRs, presumably enabled by VIR proteins, as shown by inhibition experiments and studies with transgenic <i>P. falciparum</i> expressing <i>vir</i> genes. To test this hypothesis, our study investigated the involvement of VIR proteins in cytoadhesion using <i>vir</i> gene-expressing <i>P. falciparum</i> transfectants. Those VIR proteins with a putative transmembrane domain were present in Maurer's clefts, and some were also present in the erythrocyte membrane. The VIR protein without a transmembrane domain2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jun2026-04-08T10:25:27.996Z2025-02-19T02:57:08.535ZS-EPMC92300843574470110.3390/microorganisms10061183