P. falciparum invasion of human red cells and cytoadherence to endothelial cells is dependent upon a parasite produced glycosidase.
This report describes biochemical and immunological evidence that P. falciparum produces an neuraminidase-like activity on invasion into the human red cell. The enzyme-like activity modifies the surface of glycophorin A on the infected red cell membrane to prevent further invasion of other merozoites, as well as to enhance the binding capabilities of the red cell to the host's endothelial cells (EC).
D001212:Asialoglycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008951:MNSs Blood-Group System; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood* / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology
D001212:Asialoglycoproteins; D008951:MNSs Blood-Group System; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases