Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Red cell receptors provide unique entry points for Plasmodium parasites to initiate blood-stage malaria infection. Parasites encode distinct ligands that bind specifically to both highly abundant and low-copy receptors. Recent advances in the understanding of molecular and structural mechanisms of these interactions provide fundamental insights into receptor-ligand biology and molecular targets for intervention. RECENT FINDINGS: The review focuses on the requirements for known interactions, insight derived from complex structures, and mechanisms of receptor/ligand engagement. Further, novel roles for established red cell membrane proteins, parasite ligands and associated interacting partners have recently been established in red cell invasion. SUMMARY: The new knowledge underlines the intricacies involved in invasion by a eukaryotic parasite into a eukaryotic host cell demonstrated by expanded parasite ligand families, redundancy in red cell receptor engagement, multitiered temporal binding, and the breadth of receptors engaged.