Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting
07:27

A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting

Published on: May 16, 2013

A thrombospondin structural repeat containing rhoptry protein from Plasmodium falciparum mediates erythrocyte

Faiza Amber Siddiqui1, Shikha Dhawan, Shailja Singh

  • 1Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India.

Cellular Microbiology
|February 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum uses PfTRAMP, a thrombospondin repeat motif protein, to invade host cells. Antibodies targeting PfTRAMP and EBA175 show promise for malaria vaccine development.

Area of Science:

  • Malariology
  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Host cell invasion by Plasmodium falciparum is crucial for malaria pathogenesis.
  • Parasite ligands interacting with host receptors mediate this invasion process.
  • Thrombospondin structural repeat motif (TSR) containing proteins are implicated in Plasmodium falciparum invasion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the functional role of P. falciparum thrombospondin related apical merozoite protein (PfTRAMP) in host cell invasion.
  • To investigate the secretion and binding properties of PfTRAMP.
  • To evaluate the potential of PfTRAMP as a vaccine target.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of native and recombinant PfTRAMP binding to human erythrocytes.
  • Localization studies of PfTRAMP within the parasite.
  • Inhibition assays using antibodies against PfTRAMP and EBA175.

Main Results:

  • PfTRAMP binds to both untreated and treated human erythrocytes.
  • PfTRAMP is secreted from the rhoptries during invasion, triggered by EBA175-glycophorin A interaction.
  • Antibodies against PfTRAMP inhibit P. falciparum invasion, with an additive effect when combined with anti-EBA175 antibodies.

Conclusions:

  • PfTRAMP plays a significant role in Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion.
  • Targeting multiple conserved parasite ligands, like PfTRAMP and EBA175, offers a potential strategy for malaria vaccine development.

More Related Videos

Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells10:09

Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells

Published on: January 3, 2012

In Vivo Assessment of Rodent Plasmodium Parasitemia and Merozoite Invasion by Flow Cytometry07:16

In Vivo Assessment of Rodent Plasmodium Parasitemia and Merozoite Invasion by Flow Cytometry

Published on: April 5, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Symbiosis00:58

Symbiosis

Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters01:19

Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters

Enzymes like flippase, floppase, and scramblase transfer phospholipids from one layer to another in the membrane, thereby affecting membrane asymmetry.
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Diversity of Protists IV01:27

Diversity of Protists IV

Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...