Exploring a Ligand Responsible in Malaria Invasion from an Open Plasmodium vivax Genomics Dataset

Abstract

Plasmodium vivax malaria remains a major threat to worldwide public health, owing to its distinct biology and epidemiological characteristics. Using data from the MalariaGEN Pv4 genomic dataset, we investigated the involvement of a crucial ligand in the parasite's invasion of human red blood cells, a pivotal step in its lifecycle. This study used bioinformatics analysis such as variant filtering and genomic data normalization, then applied sequence logo and UPGMA analysis to identify conserved and variable areas of the P. vivax reticulocyte-binding protein 2b (RBP2b) gene. The gene was then examined for possible B- and T-cell epitopes utilizing methods such as BepiPred and NetMHC, respectively. We identified highly conserved sequence in RBP2b, as well as various areas that are highly variable. UPGMA analysis reveals clustering among samples, which prompted further investigation due to possibility of allele fixation. While no linear B-cell epitopes were discovered, numerous strong HLA-binding peptides were found, indicating their potential for vaccine development. This study advances our understanding of the molecular basis of P. vivax invasion and RBP2b's potential as a target for innovative malaria therapies.