PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM MEROZOITE ADHESION IS MEDIATED BY SIALIC-ACID

The invasion of host red blood cells by Plasmodium falciparum merozoit es is a complex process requiring multiple receptor-ligand interaction s. Glycophorin A, a sialic acid-rich integral membrane protein, is an important RBC receptor for merozoites. We stably expressed glycophorin A in wild type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in Lec 2 CHO cel ls which have a defect in the ability to sialylate proteins. Malaria m erozoites were assessed for the ability to adhere to CHO cells that we re either untransfected or expressed recombinant glycophorin A. Merozo ites only adhered to wild type CHO cells and they did so irrespective of the expression of glycophorin A. These results suggest that cellula r adhesion, the earliest event in the malaria invasion process, is med iated by sialic acid residues. This model system will provide valuable molecular information regarding early events in the malaria invasion process. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.