Sickle cell microRNAs inhibit the malaria parasite.
Sickle cell hemoglobin conveys resistance to malaria. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, LaMonte et al. (2012) demonstrate a surprising mechanism for this innate immunity. A microRNA enriched in sickle red blood cells is translocated into the parasite, incorporated covalently into P. falciparum mRNAs and inhibits parasite growth.
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mduraisi@hsph.harvard.edu
Manoj T
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Duraisingh
Harvey F
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Lodish