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Malaria Could Be Combated by Targeting 'sticky' Proteins
The discovery highlights an important potential new target for anti-malarial drugs.
Malaria is caused by the malaria parasite, which is injected into the bloodstream from the salivary glands of infected mosquitoes.
There are a number of different species of parasite, but the deadliest is the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.
The malaria parasite infects healthy red blood cells, where it reproduces, producing up to thirty-two new daughter parasites.
The parasite secretes a 'glue', known as PfEMP1, which travels to the surface of the infected red blood cells, leading to the formation of the knobs on the surface of the cells.
The cells become sticky and adhere to the walls of the blood vessels.
This prevents the cells being flushed through the spleen, where the parasites would be destroyed by the body's immune system, but also restricts blood supply to vital organs.
Now, researchers, led by Professor Alan Cowman from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia, have identified eight new proteins that transport the P. falciparum parasite's 'glue' to the surface of the infected red blood cells.
They have shown that removing just one of these proteins prevents the infected red blood cells from sticking to the walls of the blood vessels.
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 | Quiz on Malaria Malaria is a common parasitic disease of the tropics, resulting in million deaths every year. Early detection and adequate treatment at the right time can reduce deaths due to malaria. Test your knowledge on this condition by taking this quiz. 
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