Receptors for the Malarial Parasite

Abstract

During the erythrocytic cycle of Plasmodium, the parasite develops within an enclosed space, the parasitophorous vacuole, formed by endocytosis of an invasive stage, the merozoite. Among the erythrocyte membrane proteins possibly acting as a receptor for the attachment of P. falciparum merozoites to human erythrocytes is glycophorin A Isolated glycophorin inhibits merozoite entry in a competitive manner, perhaps via association with a 155 kDa surface protein. Another protein that competitively inhibits merozoite invasion, is band 3, the erythrocyte anion transport protein. The protein bearing Duffy blood group antigens may act to modulate invasion, but does not behave as a receptor.