Tohoku Univ: Elucidation of the mechanism of malaria progression: identification of protozoan proteins
[Summary of research]
The severity of malaria is caused by “proteins released from protozoa infected with red blood cells”.
Protozoan protein is
Released into the cytoplasm of infected red blood cells,
And forms a complex responsible for protein transport in the infected erythrocytes,
Transports malaria virulence determinants to the red blood cell surface.
Tohoku University: Research Group
An exhaustive network map of the complex’s constituent proteins (which governs protein transport) was created.
Localization of protozoa and host proteins,
Producing knockout protozoa, etc.
We have succeeded in identifying protozoan proteins related to malaria pathogenicity.
Results of this research:
The result of this research is not only “lights the complex defense between the protozoa and the host” in malaria-infected erythrocytes,
It provides a data set of a number of transport protein interactions (defining the pathogenicity of P. falciparum malaria).
A paper summarizing the results of this research was published in Cell Publishing’s iScience on September 27, 2019.
Research Results -TOHOKU UNIVERSITY-
https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/japanese/2019/10/press20191030-02-MA.html