Detection of glycoproteins from human erythrocytes of different ABO blood groups infected with Plasmodium falciparum
- Author:
Ramon Chin Beng Ong
;
Patricia Kim Chooi Lim
;
Joon Wah Mak
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Plasmodium falciparum, proteins, glycoproteins, SDS-PAGE, ABO blood groups
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2011;5(2):18-28
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Many proteins released by cells to the
blood and other fluids are glycoproteins. One set of
glycoproteins carry the ABO blood group determinants
and glycoproteins have been shown to be vital in
determining the structure and organization of plasma
membranes. There is evidence suggesting their important
role in cell-to-cell contact, adhesion, hormone
interaction and vital transformation. Differences in
proteins and glycoproteins in the different human
blood groups may influence the invasion process of
Plasmodium falciparum. The objectives of the study were
to determine whether there are any changes in proteins
and glycoproteins of red blood cells upon infection by
P. falciparum and whether these protein and glycoprotein
changes differ in the various ABO blood groups.
Methods: A Malaysian strain of P. falciparum was cultured
in vitro in red blood cells from A, B, O and AB blood
groups. Protein and glycoprotein profiles of uninfected
and P. falciparum- infected red blood cells from the
different human ABO blood groups were analyzed by
SDS-PAGE. For protein bands, the gels were stained
with Coomassie blue while glycoproteins were visualized
following staining of gels using GelCode® Glycoprotein
Staining Kit.
Results: Cell membranes of P. falciparum infected
erythrocytes from different ABO blood groups have
different glycoprotein profiles compared to uninfected
cells. All the infected samples showed a prominent
protein band of molecular weight 99 kDa which was
not present in any of the uninfected samples while a
48 kDa band was seen in four out of the seven infected
samples. The erythrocyte cell membranes of A and AB
blood groups showed different glycoprotein profiles upon
infection with P. falciparum when compared to those
from blood groups B and O.
Conclusion: The two glycoproteins of molecular
weights 99 kDa and 48 kDa should be further studied to
determine their roles in the pathogenesis of malaria and
as potential targets for drug and vaccine development
