Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein region II (PvDBP-II)

Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein region II (PvDBP-II) is a crucial surface ligand expressed by the merozoite stage of the malaria parasite P. vivax. PvDBP-II contains a Duffy-binding-like (DBL) domain that mediates the specific and necessary interaction between the parasite and the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) on human reticulocytes, initiating the invasion process that leads to malaria symptoms[1][2][4][5][6]. It is a primary target of naturally acquired and vaccine-induced immune responses. Antibodies that target PvDBP-II can neutralize the parasite by blocking its interaction with DARC, thereby preventing red blood cell invasion and subsequent propagation of infection. Despite its centrality to P. vivax biology, PvDBP-II is highly polymorphic, which enables the parasite to evade strain-transcending immune responses; this presents a key hurdle for global vaccine development. The region has been structurally characterized in complex with DARC and key neutralizing antibodies, guiding rational immunogen design for vaccine efforts[4][3][6]. PvDBP-II remains a leading candidate in the development of blood-stage malaria vaccines due to its indispensable role in parasite virulence[1][2][5].

Other names

Duffy Binding Protein region IIDBP-IIPvDBP region IIPlasmodium vivax Duffy binding-like domain IIPvDBPII

Vaccines/antibodies block PvDBP-II from binding to DARC on reticulocytes, preventing parasite invasion and halting the blood-stage infection[1][2][3][6][7]