Decoding the language of var genes and Plasmodium falciparum sequestration.
Sequestration and rosetting are key determinants of Plasmodium falciparum pathogenesis. They are mediated by a large family of variant proteins called P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). PfEMP1 proteins are multispecific binding receptors that are transported to parasite-induced, 'knob-like' binding structures at the erythrocyte surface. To evade immunity and extend infections, parasites clonally vary their expressed PfEMP1. Thus, PfEMP1 are functionally selected for binding while immune selection acts to diversify the family. Here, we describe a new way to analyse PfEMP1 sequence that provides insight into domain function and protein architecture with potential implications for malaria disease.
Smith
J D
JD
Dept of Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. joseph.smith@colostate.edu
Gamain
B
B
Baruch
D I
DI
Kyes
S
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C085731:erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum