Plasmodium reichenowi, an ape malaria parasite is morphologically identical and genetically similar to Plasmodium falciparum, infects chimpanzees but not humans. Genomic studies revealed that all primate malaria parasites belong to Laverania subgenus. Laverania parasites exhibit strict host specificity, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these host restrictions remain unexplained.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe erythrocyte binding ligand 140 (EBA-140) is a member of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA) family, which are considered as prospective candidates for malaria vaccine development. EBA proteins were identified as important targets for naturally acquired inhibitory antibodies. Natural antibody response against EBA-140 ligand was found in individuals living in malaria-endemic areas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe erythrocyte binding ligand 140 (EBA-140) is a member of the Plasmodium falciparum DBL family of erythrocyte binding proteins, which are considered as prospective candidates for malaria vaccine development. The EBA-140 ligand is a paralogue of the well-characterized P. falciparum EBA-175 protein.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPostepy Hig Med Dosw (Online)
December 2013
Erythrocyte invasion by the blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites is a multistep process involving specific interactions between parasites and red blood cells. Several proteins are involved in this process, including EBL ligands. The structure of the EBA-140 ligand, a member of the EBL protein family, provides a full description of its molecular interactions with the erythrocyte receptor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrior to bacterial cell division, the ATP-dependent polymerization of the cytoskeletal protein, ParA, positions the newly replicated origin-proximal region of the chromosome by interacting with ParB complexes assembled on parS sites located close to the origin. During the formation of unigenomic spores from multi-genomic aerial hyphae compartments of Streptomyces coelicolor, ParA is developmentally triggered to form filaments along the hyphae; this promotes the accurate and synchronized segregation of tens of chromosomes into prespore compartments. Here, we show that in addition to being a segregation protein, ParA also interacts with the polarity protein, Scy, which is a component of the tip-organizing centre that controls tip growth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe recently identified erythrocyte binding antigen-140 (EBA-140) is a member of the Plasmodium falciparum DBL family of erythrocyte binding proteins, which are considered as prospective candidates for malaria vaccine development. The EBA-140 ligand is a paralogue of the well-characterized P. falciparum EBA-175 antigen.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPostepy Hig Med Dosw (Online)
November 2010
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites of Plasmodium species. It is responsible for around 1-2 million deaths annually, mainly children under the age of 5. It occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical areas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF