Red cell receptors as access points for malaria infection.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

Red cell receptors provide unique entry points for Plasmodium parasites to initiate blood-stage malaria infection. Parasites encode distinct ligands that bind specifically to both highly abundant and low-copy receptors. Recent advances in the understanding of molecular and structural mechanisms of these interactions provide fundamental insights into receptor-ligand biology and molecular targets for intervention.

Recent findings

The review focuses on the requirements for known interactions, insight derived from complex structures, and mechanisms of receptor/ligand engagement. Further, novel roles for established red cell membrane proteins, parasite ligands and associated interacting partners have recently been established in red cell invasion.

Summary

SUBMITTER: Salinas ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4964589 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature