Processing of the Plasmodium falciparum major merozoite surface protein-1: identification of a 33-kilodalton secondary processing product which is shed prior to erythrocyte invasion

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 1991 Nov;49(1):35-44. doi: 10.1016/0166-6851(91)90128-s.

Abstract

We have previously shown that only a single 19-kDa fragment of the Plasmodium falciparum major merozoite surface protein (MSP1) is carried with an invading merozoite into the infected red cell. This fragment (MSP1(19] is derived from the C-terminal membrane-bound end of a major product, MSP1(42), of the primary stage of MSP1 proteolytic processing. Using a monoclonal antibody mapped to an epitope within the N-terminal region of MSP1(42), we have shown that a soluble 33-kDa polypeptide (MSP1(33) corresponding to the N-terminal region of MSP1(42) is shed into culture supernatants during merozoite release and erythrocyte invasion. These observations provide further evidence that the secondary processing of MSP1(42) involves a highly site-specific proteolytic activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Protozoan / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1
  • Molecular Weight
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism*
  • Protein Precursors / genetics
  • Protein Precursors / immunology
  • Protein Precursors / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Epitopes
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Protein Precursors
  • Protozoan Proteins