Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Associated Armadillo Protein (PfMAAP) Is Apically Localized in Free Merozoites and Antibodies Are Associated With Reduced Risk of Malaria

Yaw Aniweh, Prince B. Nyarko, Essel Charles-Chess, Felix Ansah, Faith H.A. Osier, Evelyn Quansah, Laty Gaye Thiam, Gathoni Kamuyu, Kevin Marsh, David J. Conway, Kevin K.A. Tetteh, Gordon A. Awandare

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Understanding the functional role of proteins expressed by Plasmodium falciparum is an important step toward unlocking potential targets for the development of therapeutic or diagnostic interventions. The armadillo (ARM) repeat protein superfamily is associated with varied functions across the eukaryotes. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of members of this protein family in Plasmodium biology. The Plasmodium falciparum armadillo repeats only (PfARO; Pf3D7_0414900) and P. falciparum merozoite organizing proteins (PfMOP; Pf3D7_0917000) are armadillo-repeat containing proteins previously characterized in P. falciparum. Here, we describe the characterization of another ARM repeat-containing protein in P. falciparum, which we have named the P. falciparum Merozoites-Associated Armadillo repeats protein (PfMAAP). Antibodies raised to three different synthetic peptides of PfMAAP show apical staining of free merozoites and those within the mature infected schizont. We also demonstrate that the antibodies raised to the PfMAAP peptides inhibited invasion of erythrocytes by merozoites from different parasite isolates. In addition, naturally acquired human antibodies to the N- and C- termini of PfMAAP are associated with a reduced risk of malaria in a prospective cohort analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number505
JournalFrontiers in Immunology
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Apr 2020

Keywords

  • Malaria
  • antibodies
  • antigen
  • armadillo
  • invasion
  • merozoites
  • recombinant protein

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