2lkl

Structure of the core intracellular domain of PfEMP1

spinqualitylabelsall models 2lkl Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image   Print3D Structural highlights 2lkl is a 1 chain structure with sequence from Plasmodium falciparum. Full experimental information is available from OCA. For a guided tour on the structure components use FirstGlance. Method: Solution NMR Resources: FirstGlance, OCA, PDBe, RCSB, PDBsum, ProSAT Publication Abstract from PubMed Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells adhere to endothelial cells, thereby obstructing the microvasculature. Erythrocyte adherence is directly associated with severe malaria and increased disease lethality, and it is mediated by the PfEMP1 family. PfEMP1 clustering in knob-like protrusions on the erythrocyte membrane is critical for cytoadherence, however the molecular mechanisms behind this system remain elusive. Here, we show that the intracellular domains of the PfEMP1 family (ATS) share a unique molecular architecture, which comprises a minimal folded core and extensive flexible elements. A conserved flexible segment at the ATS center is minimally restrained by the folded core. Yeast-two-hybrid data and a novel sequence analysis method suggest that this central segment contains a conserved protein interaction epitope. Interestingly, ATS in solution fails to bind the parasite knob-associated histidine-rich protein (KAHRP), an essential cytoadherence component. Instead, we demonstrate that ATS associates with PFI1780w, a member of the Plasmodium helical interspersed sub-telomeric (PHIST) family. PHIST domains are widespread in exported parasite proteins, however this is the first specific molecular function assigned to any variant of this family. We propose that PHIST domains facilitate protein interactions, and that the conserved ATS epitope may be targeted to disrupt the parasite cytoadherence system. Structural Analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1) Intracellular Domain Reveals a Conserved Interaction Epitope.,Mayer C, Slater L, Erat MC, Konrat R, Vakonakis I J Biol Chem. 2012 Mar 2;287(10):7182-9. Epub 2012 Jan 16. PMID:22249178 From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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