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Malaria and ovalocytosis--molecular mimicry?
1Department of Biomedical Research, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02135.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|April 15, 1991
Summary
Melanesian ovalocytosis confers malaria resistance due to a band 3 protein defect. This defect involves an extended N-terminal peptide in ovalocytes, similar to a malaria parasite protein.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Parasitology
Background:
- Melanesian ovalocytosis is a genetic condition causing red blood cell resistance to malaria.
- The molecular basis for this resistance in ovalocytic erythrocytes was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the molecular abnormality in band 3 protein of ovalocytic red blood cells.
- To investigate the potential link between the ovalocyte band 3 defect and malaria resistance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of band 3 protein from ovalocytic red cell membranes.
- Bioinformatic analysis using Genbank and SWISS-PROT databases.
Main Results:
- Recent reports identified an abnormality in the band 3 protein of ovalocytic red cells.
- A novel 13 amino acid extended peptide was found at the N-terminus of ovalocyte band 3 protein.
- This extended sequence is nearly identical to a sequence in the malaria parasite protein RESA.
Conclusions:
- The identified extended peptide in band 3 protein is likely the cause of the defect in ovalocytes.
- The similarity between the ovalocyte band 3 protein and the malaria parasite RESA protein suggests a molecular mechanism for malaria resistance.