Plasmodium vivax Tryptophan Rich Antigen PvTRAg36.6 Interacts with PvETRAMP and PvTRAg56.6 Interacts with PvMSP7 during Erythrocytic Stages of the Parasite

PLoS One. 2016 Mar 8;11(3):e0151065. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151065. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Plasmodium vivax is most wide spread and a neglected malaria parasite. There is a lack of information on parasite biology of this species. Genome of this parasite encodes for the largest number of tryptophan-rich proteins belonging to 'Pv-fam-a' family and some of them are potential drug/vaccine targets but their functional role(s) largely remains unexplored. Using bacterial and yeast two hybrid systems, we have identified the interacting partners for two of the P. vivax tryptophan-rich antigens called PvTRAg36.6 and PvTRAg56.2. The PvTRAg36.6 interacts with early transcribed membrane protein (ETRAMP) of P.vivax. It is apically localized in merozoites but in early stages it is seen in parasite periphery suggesting its likely involvement in parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) development or maintenance. On the other hand, PvTRAg56.2 interacts with P.vivax merozoite surface protein7 (PvMSP7) and is localized on merozoite surface. Co-localization of PvTRAg56.2 with PvMSP1 and its molecular interaction with PvMSP7 probably suggest that, PvTRAg56.2 is part of MSP-complex, and might assist or stabilize the protein complex at the merozoite surface. In conclusion, the PvTRAg proteins have different sub cellular localizations and specific associated functions during intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
  • Antigens, Protozoan / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Erythrocyte Membrane / metabolism
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology*
  • Gene Library
  • Merozoites / metabolism
  • Peptide Library
  • Plasmodium vivax / physiology*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Mapping / methods
  • Protein Transport
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Peptide Library
  • Protozoan Proteins

Grants and funding

Funding provided by Indian Council of Medical Research [Grant No. 61/4/2012-BMS to Y. D. Sharma]; Program support grant by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, [BT/01/CEIB/11/V/01 to A. Mohammad and P. Malhotra]; Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Senior Research Fellowships to K. Tyagi and ICGEB Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships to M. E. Hossain. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.