Labelling of membrane glycoprotein in erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium knowlesi

Normal rhesus monkey erythrocytes and erythrocytes infected by P. knowlesi were labelled with galactose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.9) and tritiated sodium borohydride. The glycoproteins of normal erythrocytes were not labelled unless the cells were pretreated with neuraminidase, when peaks of activity with apparent molecular weights of 170 000, 126 000, 90 000, 50 000, and 35 000 were observed. Schizont-infected erythrocytes showed an absence of glycoprotein labelling even after neuraminidase treatment. The results indicate that there is an alteration in the glycoproteins of schizont-infected erythrocytes, which may contribute to the increased permeability and the immunological alterations on the surface of these cells.