Fig. 2

PfEMP1 domain structure: the diagram shows the PfEMP1 domain structure consisting of the N-terminal head-structure, the C-terminal domains 2–6, the Domain (TM) and the ATS region, with defined bold-receptors. Receptor properties are determined by the combined CIDR and DBL domains and by separate CIDRa head arrangement domains that have mutually exclusive to EPCR and CD36 binding. Section A PfEMP1 and part B/A chimeric subset PfEMP1 (DC8) connect to EP CRI through CIDRa1, although CD36 is linked with CIDRa2-6 by Group B and Group C PfEMP1.Placental chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) binds via the DBLpam1, DBLpam2 and E atypical VAR2CSA PfEMP1 group. The VAR 1, VAR3 and CIDRb/c/d domains group A binding phenotype is surprising, although they neither bind the EPCR nor the CD36. DBLb domains from both classes A and B may be active in ICAM-1 binding. The other DBL domains (c/d/e/f) are not much understood, but IgM and a2-macroglobulins are involved with DBLe and DBLf domains