FIG 1.

Schematic of P. falciparum invasion. The merozoite initially attaches to the RBC surface via MSPs. The parasite AMA1 protein is important for reorientation. An irreversible tight junction forms between parasite-parasite protein interactions (AMA1/RON2) and parasite-host RBC interactions. The important parasite proteins include the erythrocyte binding antigen (EBA) proteins (e.g., EBA175) and the reticulocyte binding protein homolog (PfRh) proteins (e.g., PfRh2b). Following tight junction formation, the parasite actinomyosin motor actively invades the RBC. The parasite sheddase is likely located at the tight junction, releasing the surface proteins during invasion. MTIP, myosin A tail domain interacting protein; GAPs, glideosome-associated proteins.