The multiadhesion domain proteins, PfCCp1, PfCCp2, and PfCCp3, are expressed in the gametocyte stages of the malaria pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum. The three proteins co-localize within the parasitophorous vacuole of the intraerythrocytic gametocyte, from where they are released during gamete emergence. Co-immunoprecipitation of endogenous PfCCp proteins, as well as affinity chromatography assays using recombinant PfCCp adhesion domains, revealed molecular interactions between these proteins. We propose that the PfCCp proteins interact during gametogenesis by formation of a protein complex, which may function as a matrix to promote parasite fertilization processes.
展开▼
