Plasmodium falciparum surface protein 230, domain 1 (Pfs230D1)

Plasmodium falciparum surface protein 230 (Pfs230) is a 360 kDa protein expressed on the surface of sexual-stage parasites (gametocytes) within the human host (Singh et al., 2020) [1.1.3]. Upon ingestion by an Anopheles mosquito, the protein is proteolytically processed and remains on the surface of gametes, where it forms a complex with Pfs48/45 (Quakyi et al., 1987) [1.1.5]. This complex is essential for the fusion of male and female gametes, a critical step in the parasite's life cycle within the mosquito midgut (Singh et al., 2020) [1.1.3]. Pfs230 is a leading candidate for transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs), which aim to induce antibodies in humans that, when ingested by a mosquito, neutralize the parasite and prevent further transmission (Duffy et al., 2023) [1.4.2]. Domain 1 (Pfs230D1) has been identified as the primary immunogenic region capable of inducing potent transmission-blocking antibodies (Singh et al., 2020) [1.1.3]. Clinical-stage vaccine candidates, such as Pfs230D1-EPA, target this domain to elicit a complement-dependent immune response that interrupts the malaria transmission cycle (ClinicalTrials.gov, 2024) [1.4.1].

Other names

Pfs230Pfs230 domain 1230 kDa gamete surface proteinPfs230D1MPfs230D1H

Induction of transmission-blocking antibodies that inhibit parasite development in the mosquito midgut by interfering with gamete fusion