| pubmed-article:19768630 | pubmed:abstractText | The Plasmodium falciparum P0 ribosomal phosphoprotein (PfP0) was identified for the first time by screening a cDNA expression library of P. falciparum parasites with sera from malaria-immune individuals. Due to its localization on the surface of different parasite life-cycle stages (merozoites and gametocytes) and its recognition by invasion-blocking antibodies, PfP0 has been considered a potential malaria-vaccine component. In this study, 16 20-mer-long synthetic peptides spanning the entire PfP0 sequence were evaluated by means of receptor-ligand assays with human red blood cells (RBCs) in order to determine the role played by these peptides in the invasion process. Four RBC high-activity binding peptides (HABPs), located mostly toward the N-terminal region, were identified: HABP 33898 ((1)MAKLSKQQKKQMYIEKLSSL(20)), HABP 33900 ((41)ASVRKSLRGKATILMGKNTRY(60)), HABP 33901 ((61)IRTALKKNLQAVPQIEKLLPY (80)), and HABP 33906 ((161)LIKQGEKVTASSATLLRKFNY(180)). The binding pattern of HABPs 33898 and 33906 to enzyme-treated RBCs suggests receptors of protein nature for these two HABPs, one of which could correspond to a common 58-kDa RBC membrane protein, as indicated by results of cross-linking assays. Both HABPs exhibited high content of alpha-helical features and prevented P. falciparum merozoite invasion to RBCs in vitro by up to 91%. The invasion-blocking ability reported here for these PfP0 HABPs supports their inclusion in immunological studies with the aim of assessing their potential as candidates for a vaccine against P. falciparum malaria. | lld:pubmed |
