Thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) (TRAP)

Thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP), also known as Sporozoite surface protein 2 (SSP2), is a critical transmembrane protein expressed by Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites (UniProt P17072). It plays a fundamental role in the parasite's life cycle by mediating gliding motility and the invasion of host hepatocytes (PubMed: 23431014). The ME-TRAP designation refers to a specific vaccine construct that fuses a Multiple Epitope (ME) string—containing 20 B-cell and T-cell epitopes from various malaria antigens—to the full-length TRAP protein (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01623557). This target is primarily utilized in pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine development, where viral vectors like ChAd63 and MVA are employed to elicit robust CD8+ T-cell responses and inhibitory antibodies (Nature Communications, 2013). By targeting TRAP, these therapies aim to block the parasite's entry into the liver, thereby preventing the development of the symptomatic blood-stage infection (Vaccine, 2014).

Other names

Sporozoite surface protein 2SSP2PfTRAPME-TRAP

Induction of cellular and humoral immunity to inhibit sporozoite motility and hepatocyte invasion.