title: Identification and localization of a Novel Invasin of Plasmodium falciparum.
abstract: Plasmodium falciparum is the causative organism for the most severe form of malaria among humans. The clinical symptoms are accredited to the asexual stage of parasite life cycle, involving merozoite invasion of erythrocyte, development and re-invasion into the new erythrocyte. Interaction of parasite proteins present on the surface or secreted from apical organelles with the host receptors is indispensable for the invasion process. Identification and elucidation of precise localization and function of these proteins will not only enhance our understanding of this process but will also aid in the progress of development of treatment strategies against malaria. Here we report the identification and localization of a novel protein, PfAEP (P. falciparum Apical Exonemal Protein) (PF3D7_1137200/ PF11_0383) which is conserved across Plasmodium species. Transcription and translation analysis have confirmed its expression in the schizont stage of P. falciparum. Super-resolution microscopy in schizonts and merozoites revealed its localization in the exonemes of P. falciparum.
authors.affiliation: Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hans
authors.affiliation: Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
authors.forename: Udbhav
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Relan
authors.affiliation: Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
authors.forename: Nneha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dubey
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaur
authors.affiliation: Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India. Electronic address: virander@icgeb.res.in.
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Chauhan
mesh_terms: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology*; D052940:Merozoites / Q000378:metabolism; D015388:Organelles / Q000378:metabolism; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D052939:Schizonts / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins
keywords: Exoneme; Invasin; Invasion; Plasmodium falciparum