Merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2)

Merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) is a major glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein found on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites (UniProt: P04921). It is one of the most abundant proteins on the merozoite surface and is essential for the blood-stage replication of the malaria parasite (PubMed: 21844366). Structurally, MSP2 is an intrinsically disordered protein characterized by highly variable central repeat regions flanked by conserved N- and C-terminal domains (PubMed: 21844366). These variations lead to two distinct allelic families, 3D7 and FC27, which the parasite uses to evade the host immune system (PubMed: 11564764). As a primary target of naturally acquired immunity, antibodies against MSP2 are strongly associated with protection against clinical malaria in endemic regions (PubMed: 19369490). Consequently, MSP2 has been a focal point for vaccine development, with candidates like MSP2-C1 and the Combination Malaria Vaccine (CMV) entering clinical trials (PubMed: 21422318). These vaccines aim to induce high titers of opsonizing antibodies that facilitate the clearance of merozoites or directly block their invasion into human erythrocytes (PubMed: 12350359). However, the extreme genetic diversity of the MSP2 gene presents a significant hurdle, as vaccine-induced immunity often proves to be allele-specific rather than providing broad-spectrum protection (PubMed: 11564764).

Other names

Merozoite surface antigen 2MSA-2MSP-2

Induction of opsonizing and invasion-inhibiting antibodies