Insights into the role of the Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte binding protein RH1 in merozoite invasion.

• Main Author: Loh, Han Ping.
• Other Authors: Peter Rainer Preiser
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Biological sciences::Microbiology::Microorganisms
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/49488
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The most serious form of malaria in humans is caused by the parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Studies have shown that this parasite recognizes erythrocytes for invasion by binding to receptors on the erythrocyte surface. Other than the availability of receptors, ATP has been shown to be an important factor in determining whether an erythrocyte is suitable for invasion. Recent findings that ATP and ADP can bind to a nucleotide binding region (PfRH1-NBR) within Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding-like protein homologue 1(PfRH1) suggested that PfRH1 might serve as an ATP sensor during invasion. In this project, the biological relevance of ATP in the invasion process was investigated. My results showed that there was a reduction in extracellular ATP during early invasion thereby suggesting that ATP was used in this process. In addition, to further characterize the role of PfRH1-NBR, I had purified monoclonal antibodies that were raised against PfRH1-NBR and found that these antibodies can inhibit invasion. These findings suggested that ATP, through its interaction with PfRH1 is an important factor during parasite invasion.