Nearly 60% of Plasmodium falciparum proteins are still uncharacterized and their functions are unknown. In this report, we carried out the functional characterization of a 45 kDa protein (PF3D7_1459400) and showed its potential as a target for blood stage malaria vaccine development. Analysis of protein subcellular localization, native protein expression profile, and erythrocyte invasion inhibition of both clinical and laboratory parasite strains by peptide antibodies suggest a functional role of PF3D7_1459400 protein during erythrocyte invasion. Also, immunoreactivity screens using synthetic peptides of the protein showed that adults resident in malaria endemic regions in Ghana have naturally acquired plasma antibodies against PF3D7_1459400 protein. Altogether, this study presents PF3D7_1459400 protein as a potential target for the development of peptide-based vaccine for blood-stage malaria.

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.

中文翻译：

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红细胞侵袭过程中恶性疟原虫蛋白 (PF3D7_1459400) 的定位和功能

将近 60% 的恶性疟原虫蛋白质仍然没有被表征并且它们的功能是未知的。在本报告中，我们对 45 kDa 蛋白 (PF3D7_1459400) 进行了功能表征，并展示了其作为血液阶段疟疾疫苗开发目标的潜力。对蛋白质亚细胞定位、天然蛋白质表达谱和肽抗体对临床和实验室寄生虫株的红细胞侵袭抑制的分析表明 PF3D7_1459400 蛋白在红细胞侵袭过程中的功能作用。此外，使用蛋白质合成肽的免疫反应性筛选表明，居住在加纳疟疾流行地区的成年人自然获得了针对 PF3D7_1459400 蛋白质的血浆抗体。共，

影响陈述

恶性疟原虫疟疾是一个全球性的健康问题。恶性疟原虫裂殖子侵入红细胞似乎是遏制疟疾的一个有希望的目标。我们已经鉴定并表征了一种参与红细胞侵袭的新型蛋白质。我们关于蛋白质亚细胞定位、阶段特异性蛋白质表达模式和 α 肽抗体对裂殖子侵入抑制的数据表明 PF3D7_1459400 蛋白质在恶性疟原虫红细胞侵入过程中发挥作用。更重要的是，人类免疫流行病学数据显示 PF3D7_1459400 蛋白是一种免疫原性抗原，可以进一步利用它来开发针对疟疾的新型抗感染疗法。