Two functional reticulocyte binding-like (RBL) invasion ligands of zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi exhibit differential adhesion to monkey and human erythrocytes
Reference:
Malaria Journal 2012, 11:228 (6 July 2012)
The data reported here begins to clarify the functional domains of the P. knowlesi RBLs. A binding domain has been identified and characterized in PkNBPXb. Notably, this study demonstrates that unlike PkNBPXb, PkNBPXa can bind to human erythrocytes, suggesting that PkNBPXa may function as a ligand to enable the invasion of P. knowlesi merozoites into human cells.
Medical Condition:
Despite prolonged and intense effort to understand and control the health impact of malaria morbidity and mortality, malaria remains third in the global ranking for severe and fatal infections.