How does malaria-causing parasite infect human red blood cells?
Gargi Deshmukh
Researchers based at the National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi, and Yenepoya University, Mangalore, have uncovered the crucial role of Protein kinase 2 (PfPK2) in malarial parasite development and invasion of host red blood cells, offering insights for potential therapeutic strategies. Depleting PfPK2 resulted in reduced invasion of host erythrocytes by the parasite and impaired its maturation in the host maturation, highlighting it as a promising target for new malaria drugs.