The effect of proteases and iodination on the adherent behaviour of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.
Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes were treated with proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, pronase, or V8 protease) or iodinated and the effect of these treatments on the cytoadherent behaviour of the cells was determined. As previously observed, protease treatment reduced cytoadherence. However, it was also found that the P. falciparum-induced adhesin, pfalhesin, was not removed by protease treatment. Gelatin flotation experiments and scanning electron microscopical examination of the treated cells indicated that protease exposure resulted in changes in the knob structures on the cells, which are known to affect the adherent behaviour of the cells. Iodination was found to be an effective method of inactivating pfalhesin.
Crandall
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I
Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside 92521, USA.
Demers
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D
Sherman
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IW
D000818:Animals; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000378:metabolism*; D011402:Pronase / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012974:Sodium Iodide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014357:Trypsin / Q000378:metabolism
D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D002918:Chymotrypsin; D014357:Trypsin; D011402:Pronase; D012974:Sodium Iodide