title: [Var gene family and antigen variation in Plasmodium falciparum].
abstract: An immunovariant adhesion protein family in Plasmodium falciparum named erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), encoded by var genes, is responsible for both antigenic variation and cytoadhesion of infected erythrocytes at microvasculature sites throughout the body. The article summarizes antigen variation and pathogenicity, variation molecules expressed on infected erythrocytes, structure of var gene family, PfEMP1 adhesion properties, and regulation of variation in Plasmodium falciparum var gene family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunnology, School of Medicine, Tongfi University, Shanghai 200092, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-nan
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000940:Antigenic Variation; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D005810:Multigene Family; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins