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Amlabu E, Nyarko PB, Opoku G, Ibrahim-Dey D, Ilani P, Mensah-Brown H, Akporh GA, Akuh OA, Ayugane EA, Amoh-Boateng D, Kusi KA, Awandare GA. Localization and function of a Plasmodium falciparum protein (PF3D7_1459400) during erythrocyte invasion. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 246:10-19. [PMID: 33019810 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220961764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a global health problem. Erythrocyte invasion by P. falciparum merozoites appears to be a promising target to curb malaria. We have identified and characterized a novel protein that is involved in erythrocyte invasion. Our data on protein subcellular localization, stage-specific protein expression pattern, and merozoite invasion inhibition by α-peptide antibodies suggest a role for PF3D7_1459400 protein during P. falciparum erythrocyte invasion. Even more, the human immunoepidemiology data present PF3D7_1459400 protein as an immunogenic antigen which could be further exploited for the development of new anti-infective therapy against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Amlabu
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana.,Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba P.M.B 1007, Nigeria
| | - Prince B Nyarko
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Grace Opoku
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Damata Ibrahim-Dey
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Philip Ilani
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Henrietta Mensah-Brown
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Grace A Akporh
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Ojo-Ajogu Akuh
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Evelyn A Ayugane
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - David Amoh-Boateng
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo A Kusi
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana.,Immunology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG581, Ghana
| | - Gordon A Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
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Amlabu E, Ilani P, Opoku G, Nyarko PB, Quansah E, Thiam LG, Anim M, Ayivor-Djanie R, Akuh OA, Mensah-Brown H, Rayner JC, Awandare GA. Molecular Characterization and Immuno-Reactivity Patterns of a Novel Plasmodium falciparum Armadillo-Type Repeat Protein, PfATRP. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:114. [PMID: 32266165 PMCID: PMC7100384 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly half of the genes in the Plasmodium falciparum genome have not yet been functionally investigated. We used homology-based structural modeling to identify multiple copies of Armadillo repeats within one uncharacterized gene expressed during the intraerythrocytic stages, PF3D7_0410600, subsequently referred to as P. falciparum Armadillo-Type Repeat Protein (PfATRP). Soluble recombinant PfATRP was expressed in a bacterial expression system, purified to apparent homogeneity and the identity of the recombinant PfATRP was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Affinity-purified α-PfATRP rabbit antibodies specifically recognized the recombinant protein. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that α-PfATRP rabbit antibodies reacted with P. falciparum schizonts. Anti-PfATRP antibody exhibited peripheral staining patterns around the merozoites. Given the localization of PfATRP in merozoites, we tested for an egress phenotype during schizont arrest assays and demonstrated that native PfATRP is inaccessible on the surface of merozoites in intact schizonts. Dual immunofluorescence assays with markers for the inner membrane complex (IMC) and microtubules suggest partial colocalization in both asexual and sexual stage parasites. Using the soluble recombinant PfATRP in a screen of plasma samples revealed that malaria-infected children have naturally acquired PfATRP-specific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Amlabu
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria
| | - Philip Ilani
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Grace Opoku
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Prince B. Nyarko
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evelyn Quansah
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Laty G. Thiam
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Manfred Anim
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Reuben Ayivor-Djanie
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, SBBS, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Ojo-ajogu Akuh
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Henrietta Mensah-Brown
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon A. Awandare
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Amlabu E, Mensah-Brown H, Nyarko PB, Akuh OA, Opoku G, Ilani P, Oyagbenro R, Asiedu K, Aniweh Y, Awandare GA. Functional Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum Surface-Related Antigen as a Potential Blood-Stage Vaccine Target. J Infect Dis 2019; 218:778-790. [PMID: 29912472 PMCID: PMC6057521 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion is a multistep process that involves a spectrum of interactions that are not well characterized. We have characterized a 113-kDa immunogenic protein, PF3D7_1431400 (PF14_0293), that possesses coiled-coil structures. The protein is localized on the surfaces of both merozoites and gametocytes, hence the name Plasmodium falciparum surface-related antigen (PfSRA). The processed 32-kDa fragment of PfSRA binds normal human erythrocytes with different sensitivities to enzyme treatments. Temporal imaging from initial attachment to internalization of viable merozoites revealed that a fragment of PfSRA, along with PfMSP119, is internalized after invasion. Moreover, parasite growth inhibition assays showed that PfSRA P1 antibodies potently inhibited erythrocyte invasion of both sialic acid–dependent and –independent parasite strains. Also, immunoepidemiological studies show that malaria-infected populations have naturally acquired antibodies against PfSRA. Overall, the results demonstrate that PfSRA has the structural and functional characteristics of a very promising target for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Amlabu
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.,Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria
| | - Henrietta Mensah-Brown
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Prince B Nyarko
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Ojo-Ajogu Akuh
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Grace Opoku
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Philip Ilani
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Richard Oyagbenro
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Kwame Asiedu
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Yaw Aniweh
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Gordon A Awandare
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
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