pAldolase (P. falciparum)

Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase [EC 4.1.2.13] catalyzes a key reaction in glycolysis and energy production and is produced by all four species. The P.falciparum aldolase is a 41 kDa protein and has 61-68% sequence similarity to known eukaryotic aldolases. The presence of antibodies against p41 in the sera of human adults partially immune to malaria suggest that p41 is implicated in protective immune response against the parasite.

Background

Malaria is the most lethal parasitic disease in the world, annually affecting approximately 500 million people and resulting in 800,000 deaths, mostly in African sub-Saharan countries [1]. The disease is transmitted most commonly by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Five species of Plasmodium can infect and be spread by humans.[2] Most deaths are caused by P. falciparum because P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae generally cause a milder form of malaria.[2][3] Malaria is typically diagnosed by the microscopic examination of blood using blood films, or with antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests.[2] There are currently over 20 such tests commercially available (WHO product testing 2008). Antigens suitable as target for Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are Glutamate dehydrogenase (pGluDH), Histidine Rich Protein II (HRPII), lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) and Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (pAldo)