Potential Biomarkers and Their Applications for Rapid and Reliable Detection of Malaria
Table 1
A brief summary of diagnostic antigenic markers of malaria.
Name of biomarker
Chemical nature
Localization
Salient features
References
pLDH
Homotetrameric protein with each monomer of 34 kDa
Inside infected RBCs
Presence of five amino acid residue insertions (DKEWN) in active site loop. Ability to actively utilize synthetic cofactor APAD+. Reduced pyruvate substrate inhibition.
Unique tandem repeats (Ala-His-His-Ala-Ala-Asp). 310-Helix conformation when bound to heme. Secreted in abundance in serum, CSF, and urine of infected patients.
Consists of Fe(III)PPIX centrosymmetric dimmers linked by hydrogen bonds. Accumulates in the digestive vacuole of parasite and appears as cluster as observed under electron microscope.
Homotetrameric protein with each subunit of 40 kDa
Inside infected RBCs
High sequence diversity from host and has potential as a drug target. Used for following response to therapy as it is detected only at high parasitemia.