Identification of multiple chondroitin sulfate A (CSA)-binding domains in the var2CSA gene transcribed in CSA-binding parasites

Malaria in pregnancy is a serious complication associated with parasitized erythrocyte (PE) sequestration in the placenta. Recent work suggests that var genes could play an important role in PE binding to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), a primary placental adherence receptor. Here, we confirm that var2CSA is transcriptionally up-regulated in CSA-binding parasites and define CSA-binding domains in var2CSA. The identification of multiple binding domains in var2CSA strengthens the evidence for their involvement in malaria during pregnancy and may have applications for the development of a vaccine against malaria in pregnancy.