title: A model of the complex between the PfEMP1 malaria protein and the human ICAM-1 receptor.
abstract: Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Four species of Plasmodium can infect humans: P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. vivax, and P. ovale. P. falciparum is the only able to cytoadhere to the surface of postcapillary endothelial cells. A key role in cytoadherence is played by the interaction between the PfEMP1 P. falciparum protein and the human intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) although very little is known about the molecular details of this complex. Here we propose a model for this interaction on the basis of a homology model of the functional domain of PfEMP1 and of the ICAM-1 three dimensional structures. Our model is consistent with the results of many experimental observations, provides a rational explanation for the different binding abilities of different strains of P. falciparum and explains the reduced binding affinity of the A4 strain of P. falciparum for the ICAM-1(Kilifi) polymorphism. On the basis of our model, we can also explain why the murine ICAM-1, although sharing 70% sequence similarity with its human homologue, does not bind PfEMP1, and why the binding of fibrinogen and PfEMP1 to ICAM-1 is mutually exclusive. The model of the complex proposed here can serve as a useful tool for the design and interpretation of biochemical and immunological experimental results.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, Università di Roma La Sapienza, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertonati
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tramontano
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C085731:erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1