Dissection of the Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding-like proteins (PvRBPs)

Human malaria, which is caused by infection with Plasmodium, is a serious global public health problem. The erythrocytic stages are responsible for all of the symptoms and pathologies associated with malaria. Compared with Plasmodium falciparum merozoites infected human erythrocytes, Plasmodium vivax merozoites primarily invade reticulocytes. Due to the recent availability of the P. vivax genomic and transcriptomic datasets, the P. vivax reticulocyte binding-like proteins (PvRBPs) have been updated. However, the precise roles of PvRBPs remain largely unknown. Thus, here we discuss advances in our knowledge of the molecular interactions involved in erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium merozoites, focusing particularly on PvRBP1 and PvRBP2. We also discuss potential PvRBP receptors during reticulocyte invasion.