INVASION OF ERYTHROCYTES BY PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM MALARIA PARASITES - EVIDENCE FOR RECEPTOR HETEROGENEITY AND 2 RECEPTORS

  • 1 May 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 67  (5) , 1519-1521
Abstract
P. falciparum malaria parasites with different capabilities of invading sialic acid-deficient erythrocytes were identified. Thai-2 parasites cultured in Tn erythrocytes invaded neuraminidase-treated and Tn erythrocytes twice as efficiently as Thai-2 parasites cultured in normal erythrocytes and seven to ten times more efficiently than a cloned line of Camp parasites cultured in normal erythrocytes. All three parasite lines required sialic acid for optimal invasion, but Thai-2 parasites cultured in Tn erythrocytes invaded neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes with 45% efficiency whereas Camp parasites invaded neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes with less than 10% efficiency. P. falciparum malaria parasites probably possess two receptors: one that binds to a sialic acid-dependent ligand and another binds to a sialic acid-independent ligand. Parasites may differ in the quantity or affinity of their receptors for the sialic acid-independent ligand.