Repeat structures in a Plasmodium falciparum protein (MESA) that binds human erythrocyte protein 4.1.
The mature-parasite-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (MESA, also known as PfEMP-2 and pp300) of Plasmodium falciparum is a phosphoprotein of approx. 250-300 kDa that is exported from the parasite to the erythrocyte membrane skeleton where it binds to protein 4.1. Determination of the primary sequence of MESA reveals that it is encoded by 2 exons, a structure common to other exported proteins of P. falciparum. The MESA protein is heavily charged and contains 7 distinct repeat regions that compose over 60% of the protein. The predicted secondary structure suggests that MESA is a fibrillar protein and it shows similarity to a number of cytoskeletal and neurofilament proteins, including myosin, a protein that itself binds to protein 4.1.
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Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C028841:erythrocyte membrane band 4.1 protein; C120557:erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 1