Studies on PKA phosphorylation events in host red cells during invasion by Plasmodium falciparum

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26461515
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Infectious disease medicine
• Research Institution: Tokyo Women's Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Koshino Ichiro 東京女子医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (80328377)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: マラリア / 赤血球 / 膜蛋白質 / リン酸化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the hypothesis that dissociation of the receptor from the host red cell membrane skeleton via PKA phosphorylation is the prerequisite for successful invasion of red cells by malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum was tested. It was demonstrated that an unidentified binding partner (a possible receptor for malaria parasite) of membrane skeletal protein dematin, was dissociated from membrane skeleton upon PKA activation, while well known receptors for malaria parasite, glycophorins A and C were not. Dematin is the best substrate of PKA in red cells.
Studies utilizing several antagonists for purine nucleotide receptors and RNAseq data suggested that Gq-mediated signaling pathway might also be involved in the invasion process as well as Gs-mediated PKA signaling pathway.

Free Research Field

生化学