Structural insights into the Rifin protein family of the malaria parasite (360G-Wellcome-202174_Z_16_Z)

Members of the RIFIN family of Plasmodium falciparum are expressed on the surfaces of infected erythrocytes, where they are one of the few surface protein families exposed to the host immune system. They are members of a broader protein family, including the stevors, virs and pirs that are expressed across malaria parasites. This project aims towards the structure of the extracellular domain of a rifin protein, which will allow us to understand the architecture of this entire family of proteins. It also aims to understand the molecular basis for the interaction of a rifin with a novel class of antibody molecule with a LAIR1 insertion and to the molecular basis for the interaction of a rifin with a blood group A antigen. These studies will help us to understand the role of this enigmatic Plasmodium surface protein family that have been implicated in disease severity.