Abstract: This invention provides reagents, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating and preventing malaria. Specifically, the invention provides methods for inhibiting a Plasmodium parasite, especially Plasmodium falciparum, from invading or replicating in a cell as well as vaccines for preventing malaria.

Abstract: The invention provides peptides derived from erythroid Band 3 protein, which selectively bind to merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1), and/or one or more of the malaria polypeptides: BBP-1, BBP-2, BBP-3, BBP-4, BBP-5, BBP-6, RhopH3, and ABRA and prevent infection by the parasite of a Band 3-expressing cell, such as an erythrocyte. The invention also provides the isolated polypeptides BBP-1, BBP-2, BBP-3, BBP-4, BBP-5, BBP-6, RhopH3, and/or ABRA as well as peptides derived from MSP-1, which selectively bind to erythroid Band 3 protein and prevent parasite invasion into a Band 3-expressing cell, and prevent Plasmodium infection. Methods of using the malaria and MSP1 polypeptides of the invention for malaria prevention and/or treatment (e.g. in vaccines) are also provided. Antibodies that bind to the Band 3 polypeptides and anti-idiotypic antibodies thereto also are provided.

Abstract: Human erythroid p55, an abundantly palmitoylated erythrocyte membrane protein, has been identified, cloned and sequenced. p55 appears to be ubiquitously expressed in human tissues and contains both an SH3 motif and an enzymatically active guanylate kinase domain. The presence of the SH3 motif indicates a possible role in the suppression of tyrosine kinase activity and the guanylate kinase domain may play a role in signal transduction and tissue proliferation by modulating guanine nucleotide levels. Localized to the Xq24-qter region of the X chromosome, abnormalities in p55 appear in patients suffering from hemolytic anemia and Dyskeratosis congenita. With the identification and sequencing of p55, nucleic acid probes and anti-p55 antibodies can be used in a variety of hybridization and immunological assays to screen for and detect p55 defects. Conventional and gene techniques can also be developed to treat p55 deficiencies and abnormalities.