Plasmodium's sticky fingers.
The life cycle of the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) is remarkably complex. Malaria parasites must engage in highly specific and varied interactions with cell types of both the mammalian host and the mosquito vector. In this issue of Cell, report detailed molecular insights into an intimate interaction between a malaria parasite protein and its host cell receptor that enables the parasite to invade erythrocytes.
Waters
Andrew P
AP
Malaria Group, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D019281:Dimerization; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology; D006021:Glycophorins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000502:physiology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D006021:Glycophorins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C065668:erythrocyte-binding antigen 175, Plasmodium