%0 Journal Article
%T Detection of glycoproteins from human erythrocytes of different ABO blood groups infected with Plasmodium falciparum
%A Ramon Chin Beng Ong
%A Patricia Kim Chooi Lim
%A Joon Wah Mak
%J International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education
%D 2011
%I International Medical University, Malaysia
%X Background: Many proteins released by cells to theblood and other fluids are glycoproteins. One set ofglycoproteins carry the ABO blood group determinantsand glycoproteins have been shown to be vital indetermining the structure and organization of plasmamembranes. There is evidence suggesting their importantrole in cell-to-cell contact, adhesion, hormoneinteraction and vital transformation. Differences inproteins and glycoproteins in the different humanblood groups may influence the invasion process ofPlasmodium falciparum. The objectives of the study wereto determine whether there are any changes in proteinsand glycoproteins of red blood cells upon infection byP. falciparum and whether these protein and glycoproteinchanges differ in the various ABO blood groups.Methods: A Malaysian strain of P. falciparum was culturedin vitro in red blood cells from A, B, O and AB bloodgroups. Protein and glycoprotein profiles of uninfectedand P. falciparum- infected red blood cells from thedifferent human ABO blood groups were analyzed bySDS-PAGE. For protein bands, the gels were stainedwith Coomassie blue while glycoproteins were visualizedfollowing staining of gels using GelCode  GlycoproteinStaining Kit.Results: Cell membranes of P. falciparum infectederythrocytes from different ABO blood groups havedifferent glycoprotein profiles compared to uninfectedcells. All the infected samples showed a prominentprotein band of molecular weight 99 kDa which wasnot present in any of the uninfected samples while a48 kDa band was seen in four out of the seven infectedsamples. The erythrocyte cell membranes of A and ABblood groups showed different glycoprotein profiles uponinfection with P. falciparum when compared to thosefrom blood groups B and O.Conclusion: The two glycoproteins of molecularweights 99 kDa and 48 kDa should be further studied todetermine their roles in the pathogenesis of malaria andas potential targets for drug and vaccine development.
%K Plasmodium falciparum
%K proteins
%K glycoproteins
%K SDS-PAGE
%K ABO blood groups
%U http://web.imu.edu.my/ejournal/approved/4.Original_Ong_p18-28.pdf