Figure 2.

Overview of erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites. Initial attachment of the merozoite to the erythrocyte can occur in any orientation. The merozoite then re‐orientates itself to position its apical pole in close contact with the host cell membrane. Numerous parasite host protein interactions occur at this point. Of particular interest are the interactions of EBA175 and Rh4 with their respective host receptors GPA and CR1, which appear to trigger erythrocyte responses visible as membrane deformations. Translocation of the RON complex (blue) across the erythrocyte membrane results in establishment of the tight junction, through which the merozoite enters the host cell into a parasitophorous vacuole utilizing force from its actin–myosin motor.