Adhesive receptors on malaria-parasitized red cells

Antigenic variation, resetting and cytoadhesion are key determinants in the survival and virulence of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. These properties reside in a multigene protein family called P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), encoded by the large and diverse var gene family. PfEMP1 plays a central role in the biology of P. falciparum and its interaction with the human host. The molecular mechanism and the domains involved in cytoadherence, resetting and antigenic variation are beginning to unfold. Domains mediating resetting and adhesion to several key host receptors have already been identified. Understanding the role of PfEMP1 in the pathogenesis and survival of malaria parasites is the key for the development of anti-adhesion vaccines and therapeutics to reduce the mortality and morbidity of P. falciparum infections.