Malaria infection induces a conformational change in erythrocyte band 3 protein.

Sequestration in the microvessels of the deep tissues is a signal characteristic of the human malaria Plasmodium falciparum. The adhesion of P. falciparum-infected cells to the post-capillary endothelial cells in various tissues contributes to both the pathology of the disease (i.e. organ infarcts and coma) and parasite survival (i.e. the microaerophilic environment favors plasmodial growth while avoiding passage through and destruction in the spleen). This report identifies a conformational change in a region of band 3 protein involved in the enhanced adhesiveness of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes.