Plasmodium falciparum thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (PfTRAP)

Plasmodium falciparum thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (PfTRAP) is an integral membrane protein found on the sporozoite surface, characterized by multiple adhesive domains (including a von Willebrand factor type A domain and thrombospondin type 1 repeat). It is stored in micronemes and becomes exposed during parasite traversal. PfTRAP is critical for sporozoite gliding motility, host cell recognition, and invasion, especially of liver cells. It interacts specifically with host cell surface molecules such as sulfated proteoglycans and human integrin αvβ3, and is phosphorylated by host Src-family kinases, suggesting a role in both adhesion and cell signaling. The TRAP gene is highly polymorphic in field isolates, indicating strong immune selection. PfTRAP is under investigation as a candidate vaccine antigen for malaria and represents a validated drug target due to its essentiality in parasite life cycle progression.

Other names

Thrombospondin-related adhesive proteinThrombospondin-related anonymous proteinTRAPPfTRAP

Candidate vaccines or inhibitory antibodies would act by blocking the adhesive domains, thereby preventing sporozoite motility or host cell invasion. Potential inhibitors could disrupt binding to sulfated glycoconjugates or interaction with host cell kinases.