2XU0 image
Entry Detail
PDB ID:
2XU0
Title:
Crystal structure of the NTS-DBL1(alpha-1) domain of the Plasmodium falciparum membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) from the varO strain.
Biological Source:
PDB Version:
Deposition Date:
2010-10-14
Release Date:
2011-04-06
Method Details:
Experimental Method:
Resolution:
2.06 Å
R-Value Free:
0.21
R-Value Work:
0.18
R-Value Observed:
0.18
Space Group:
P 41 21 2
Macromolecular Entities
Polymer Type:polypeptide(L)
Description:ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE PROTEIN 1
Mutations:YES
Chain IDs:A
Chain Length:487
Number of Molecules:1
Biological Source:PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM PALO ALTO/UGANDA
Primary Citation
Structure of a Plasmodium Falciparum Pfemp1 Rosetting Domain Reveals a Role for the N-Terminal Segment in Heparin-Mediated Rosette Inhibition.
Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA 108 5243 ? (2011)
PMID: 21402930 DOI: 10.1073/PNAS.1018692108

Abstact

The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can cause infected red blood cells (iRBC) to form rosettes with uninfected RBC, a phenotype associated with severe malaria. Rosetting is mediated by a subset of the Plasmodium falciparum membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) variant adhesins expressed on the infected host-cell surface. Heparin and other sulfated oligosaccharides, however, can disrupt rosettes, suggesting that therapeutic approaches to this form of severe malaria are feasible. We present a structural and functional study of the N-terminal domain of PfEMP1 from the VarO variant comprising the N-terminal segment (NTS) and the first DBL domain (DBL1α(1)), which is directly implicated in rosetting. We demonstrate that NTS-DBL1α(1)-VarO binds to RBC and that heparin inhibits this interaction in a dose-dependent manner, thus mimicking heparin-mediated rosette disruption. We have determined the crystal structure of NTS-DBL1α(1), showing that NTS, previously thought to be a structurally independent component of PfEMP1, forms an integral part of the DBL1α domain. Using mutagenesis and docking studies, we have located the heparin-binding site, which includes NTS. NTS, unique to the DBL α-class domain, is thus an intrinsic structural and functional component of the N-terminal VarO domain. The specific interaction observed with heparin opens the way for developing antirosetting therapeutic strategies.

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