A malaria merozoite surface protein (MSP1)-structure, processing and function.
Merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1, also referred to as P195, PMMSA or MSA 1) is one of the most studied of all malaria proteins. The protein is found in all malaria species investigated and structural studies on the gene indicate that parts of the molecule are well-conserved. Studies on Plasmodium falciparum have shown that the protein is in a processed form on the merozoite surface, a result of proteolytic cleavage of the large precursor molecule. Recent studies have identified some of these cleavage sites. During invasion of the new red cell most of the MSP1 molecule is shed from the parasite surface except for a small C-terminal fragment which can be detected in ring stages. Analysis of the structure of this fragment suggests that it contains two growth factor-like domains that may have a functional role.
National Institute for Medical Research, Division of Parasitology, London, U.K.
A A
AA
Holder
M J
MJ
Blackman
P A
PA
Burghaus
J A
JA
Chappel
I T
IT
Ling
N
N
McCallum-Deighton
S
S
Shai
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D011498:Protein Precursors; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D002118:Calcium