Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2)

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) is a highly abundant, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein located on the surface of the malaria parasite's merozoite stage (UniProt P19599). It is characterized as an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) that plays a critical role in the invasion of human erythrocytes, although its exact molecular receptor on the red blood cell remains poorly defined (PubMed: 22431623). MSP2 is a major target of the naturally acquired human immune response, with antibodies against it associated with protection from clinical malaria (PubMed: 15722012). The protein exists in two major allelic families, 3D7 and FC27, which differ significantly in their central variable domains; the 3D7-like allele is one of the two primary dimorphic forms used in vaccine design (PubMed: 11024016). Due to its high immunogenicity, MSP2 has been a primary candidate for blood-stage malaria vaccines, such as the Combination B vaccine, which showed efficacy in reducing parasite density in clinical trials (PubMed: 11024016). However, the extreme genetic polymorphism of MSP2 presents a significant challenge, as vaccines may only provide protection against specific strains, potentially leading to the selection of non-vaccine alleles in the population (PubMed: 25135901).

Other names

Merozoite surface antigen 2MSA-2MSP-2P. falciparum MSP23D7-like merozoite surface protein 2

Induction of protective antibodies that inhibit merozoite invasion of erythrocytes and promote opsonization for clearance by phagocytes.