A Thioredoxin Homologous Protein of Plasmodium falciparum Participates in Erythrocyte Invasion

• Published in: Infection and immunity 2018-08, Vol.86 (8)
• Main Authors: Wang, Wei, Huang, Peng, Jiang, Ning, Lu, Huijun, Zhang, Dongchao, Wang, Dawei, Zhang, Kai, Wahlgren, Mats, Chen, Qijun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cellular Microbiology: Pathogen-Host Cell Molecular Interactions; Immunologi inom det medicinska området; Infektionsmedicin; Klinisk medicin; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper
• ISSN: 0019-9567; 1098-5522; 1098-5522
• DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00289-18

Invasion of erythrocytes by merozoites is required in the life cycle of malarial parasites. Proteins derived from the invasive merozoites are essential ligands for erythrocyte recognition and penetration. In this study, we report a novel protein that possesses a Trx domain-like structure of the thioredoxin family and is expressed on the surface of merozoites of the malaria parasite This protein, namely, PfTrx-mero protein, displayed a mutated sequence character at the Trx domain, but with a specific binding activity to human erythrocytes. Specific antibodies to the protein inhibited merozoite invasion into human erythrocytes. Immunization with a homologous protein of strain ANKA also showed significant protection against lethal infection in mice. These results suggested that the novel PfTrx-like-mero protein expressed on the surface of merozoites is an important ligand participating in erythrocyte invasion and a potential vaccine candidate.