Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage surface protein 25 (Pfs25)

Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage surface protein 25 (Pfs25) is a 217-amino acid, cysteine-rich surface antigen found on the zygote and ookinete stages of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite within the mosquito vector[1][2][3][5][7]. The protein is anchored to the parasite surface via a C-terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) moiety and consists of four tandem EGF-like domains stabilized by 11 disulfide bonds[1][2][3][5][7]. Pfs25 interacts with mosquito midgut laminin, facilitating parasite development in the mosquito. Functionally, it is not required for parasite survival in humans, but is essential for continued development in the mosquito and is, therefore, a lead antigen in transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) research. Antibodies against Pfs25—most notably monoclonal antibody 4B7—can block the passage of malaria between humans by halting parasite maturation inside mosquitoes. Pfs25-based TBVs aim to induce such antibodies, thus interrupting the malaria lifecycle and transmission[1][2][5][6][7].

Other names

Pfs25Plasmodium falciparum P25Malaria transmission-blocking antigen Pfs25

Transmission-blocking: antibodies bind Pfs25 and prevent maturation of parasite in the mosquito, blocking onward transmission to humans[1][2][5][4]