Search for host proteins recognized by malaria-infected erythrocyte surface antigens

Rifin molecules expressed on the surface of malaria-infected erythrocytes are important protozoan proteins for the onset and exacerbation of malaria. About 170 species of Rifin are encoded in the malaria parasite genome, and it was difficult to study all of them. There has been success in expressing all 178 kinds of Rifin that encode, and identified 4 kinds of Rifin that are important for prevention of malaria development by immunoscreening. In order to elucidate these molecular functions, this research comprehensively explores the interactions between the four important Rifin species and 20,000 human proteins. Furthermore, it will verify the protein interactions expressed by actual protozoa and human cells using neighborhood-dependent biotinylation enzymes. This will lead to the development of new malaria vaccines and the development of effective treatments for severe malaria, and accelerate the eradication of malaria. In this fiscal year, proteins interacting with protozoan-infected erythrocyte surface antigens have been identified, which were newly identified as Rifin, in a human protein library using a protein interaction analysis system using our own developed alphascreen. As a result, it was unexpectedly found that many surface proteins present on the surface of immune cells interacted with each other, and the interaction was verified using SPR.

Project details

Basic Science

Apr 2021 — Mar 2024

$148,486

Japan