Figure 7.

Schematic representation of the proposed functional role of PFE1605w within the iRBC knob structure.

A. Both Co‐IP experiments and in vivo experiments showed that the PHIST domain of PFE1605w binds the C‐terminal part of different ATS domains and the C‐terminal part of PFE1605w targets the host band 3 and junctional complexes, thus making it an anchoring molecule between PfEMP1 and the host cytoskeleton.

B. As various PHIST domains interacted with the same PfEMP1 epitope but with different affinities, it is conceivable that another PHIST protein might take over the function of PFE1605w depending on the surface exposed PfEMP1 molecule.