(93ah) Mapping Msp1-19 Binding Regions in Band 3 Peptide

The overall purpose of this research was to understand the mechanisms of the plasmodium falciparum invasion of erythrocytes with band 3 as a host receptor in the red blood cells, for merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1-19) in the malaria parasite. From this knowledge, new vaccines can be created. The objectives are to test the binding strengths of two segments 5ABC and 6A from band 3 peptide with MSP1-19 found in a malaria parasite. The secondary objectives are to test the binding strengths of two truncated forms of the segment 5ABC, 5 and 6 as well as test two chimeric proteins 5ABC6A and 6A5ABC. The experiments will use GST-5ABC, GST-5ABC6A and GST-6A5ABC and Trx-MSP1-19, Trx-MSP1-19A, Trx-MSP1-19B, where GST and Trx are moiety fusion proteins. The results of the experiments showed signs of strong binding with GST-5ABC and GST-6A with Trx-MSP1-19, Trx-MSP1-19A, and Trx-MSP1-19B. Weak binding was found for GST-5 and GST-6 with Trx-19. Stronger binding occurred in the experiments of GST-5 and GST-6 with Trx-19A. The proteins, GST-5ABC6A and GST-6A5ABC with the Trx-19 showed no signs of binding occurring when GST-5ABC6A or GST-6A5ABC were immobilized on the chip as ligands. Stronger binding appeared when Trx-MSP1-19A was immobilized on the sensor chip and the experiments were repeated. The two segments 5ABC and 6A seemed to bind to the malaria parasite, meaning that the MSP1-19 had a role in the invasion of the red blood cells.