Glycophorin-binding protein 130 (PfGBP130) (PfGBP130)

PfGBP130, also known as Glycophorin-binding protein 130, is a high-molecular-weight protein secreted by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum into the host erythrocyte during the asexual blood stage (UniProt: P13813). It is primarily recognized for its ability to bind glycophorin, a major sialoglycoprotein on the red blood cell surface, which suggests a critical role in the parasite's ability to recognize and bind host cells (PubMed: 3010138). The protein structure features multiple 50-amino acid tandem repeats, a common motif in Plasmodium antigens that is thought to facilitate immune evasion through antigenic variation (PubMed: 1891165). PfGBP130 is localized within the parasitophorous vacuole and is exported into the host cell cytoplasm, indicating its participation in the parasite's extensive remodeling of the erythrocyte (PlasmoDB: PF3D7_1038400). Due to its essential role in host-parasite interactions, PfGBP130 is considered a potential target for the development of antimalarial vaccines and inhibitory drugs (PubMed: 3010138). Targeting this protein aims to disrupt the attachment phase of the parasite life cycle, thereby preventing the progression of clinical malaria. However, the high degree of polymorphism observed in this protein across different strains presents significant challenges for achieving broad-spectrum therapeutic efficacy (UniProt: P13813).

Other names

GBP130Glycophorin-binding proteinGBPPF3D7_1038400

Inhibition of glycophorin binding to prevent erythrocyte invasion