Pfs230

Pfs230 is a large cysteine-rich surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes and gametes that is a leading target antigen for malaria transmission-blocking vaccines. It belongs to the 6-cysteine protein family and comprises an N-terminal pro-domain followed by 14 conserved 6-cys domains, several of which (notably domains 1, 7 and 12) contain conformational epitopes that elicit functional antibodies capable of blocking parasite fertilization in the mosquito midgut and thereby interrupting human-to-mosquito transmission.[3][5][7][8] Because full-length Pfs230 is difficult to express, current vaccine candidates use selected domains such as Pfs230D1 conjugated to carrier proteins (for example ExoProtein A) and formulated with adjuvants like Alhydrogel, AS01, or Matrix-M, and have entered phase 1–2 clinical trials in malaria-endemic populations.[1][2][6][8][9][12][13]

Other names

Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage antigen 230Pf s230Pfs230D1Pfs-230D1Pfs 230D1Pfs230D1MPfs-230D1MPfs 230D1MPfs230 domain 1Pfs-230 domain 1Pfs 230 domain 1Pfs230D7Pfs-230D7Pfs 230D7Pfs230 domain 7Pfs-230 domain 7Pfs 230 domain 7Pfs230D12Pfs-230D12Pfs 230D12Pfs230 domain 12Pfs-230 domain 12Pfs 230 domain 12