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Effect of Plasmodium berghei on membranes of murine erythrocytes
Abstract:
Membranes from normal and Plasmodium berghei-infected mice were analyzed to determine: 1) if any antigenic changes were present; and 2) the nature of these changes. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), immunological and biochemical analyses were performed on whole ghosts and glycoprotein fractions extracted from whole ghosts by chloroform-methanol. PAGE profiles and biochemical analyses revealed quantitative, but not qualitative, differences between membrane proteins and glycoproteins of normal and infected membranes. No antigenic changes were detected. The data presented here suggest that productive infection with P. berghei brings about an imbalance in the protein composition of the erythrocyte membrane, but does not result in the insertion of new proteins or glycoproteins.
Insights
Plasmodium berghei infection alters erythrocyte membrane protein quantities but not types. This study found no new proteins or antigenic changes in infected mouse membranes, indicating a quantitative imbalance.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Erythrocyte membrane composition can change during parasitic infections.
- Plasmodium berghei is a parasite that infects red blood cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate antigenic and protein composition changes in erythrocyte membranes of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.
- To determine if new proteins or glycoproteins are inserted into the membrane during infection.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of erythrocyte membranes from normal and Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.
- Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) for protein separation.
- Immunological and biochemical analyses of whole erythrocyte ghosts and extracted glycoproteins.
Main Results:
- PAGE and biochemical analyses showed quantitative, not qualitative, differences in membrane proteins and glycoproteins.
- No new proteins or glycoproteins were detected in infected membranes.
- No antigenic changes were observed between normal and infected membranes.
Conclusions:
- Plasmodium berghei infection causes quantitative alterations in erythrocyte membrane protein composition.
- The parasite does not appear to insert novel proteins or glycoproteins into the host erythrocyte membrane.
- Antigenic profiles of erythrocyte membranes remain unchanged despite infection.