Rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2)

Rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2) is a transmembrane protein component of the moving junction complex that mediates parasite invasion in apicomplexan parasites, including the malaria parasite *Plasmodium*. RON2 functions as a receptor for the parasite surface protein AMA1 (Apical Membrane Antigen 1), and this interaction is essential for forming the tight junction structure that enables parasites to invade host cells, whether merozoites invading red blood cells or sporozoites invading salivary gland and hepatocyte cells. The RON2-AMA1 interaction is highly conserved across *Plasmodium* species, making it an attractive drug target. Blocking this interaction with antibodies, peptides, or small molecule inhibitors effectively prevents parasite invasion. The crystal structures of RON2-AMA1 complexes have been solved, revealing the molecular basis for binding specificity and enabling structure-based drug design approaches for antimalarial therapeutics.

Other names

Rhoptry neck protein (RON) complex componentpart of the RON complex (which includes RON2, RON4, and RON5)

Blocking the AMA1-RON2 interaction prevents the formation of the moving junction complex, thereby inhibiting parasite invasion