Effects of neoglycoproteins on penetration of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites into erythrocytes in vitro.

Sugars conjugated to bovine serum albumin (neoglycoproteins) were tested for their ability to inhibit Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion of red blood cells in an in vitro inhibition assay. The inhibitory effects of the neoglycoproteins on merozoite invasion of erythrocytes were determined by assessing 3H-hypoxanthine incorporation into the cultures. The only neoglycoprotein that caused significant inhibition N-acetyl-glucosamine-bovine serum albumin. A comparison of the inhibitory effects of N-acetyl-glucosamine and N-acetyl-glucosamine-bovine serum albumin showed that N-acetyl-glucosamine-bovine serum albumin was 84 fold more effective than the free sugar in causing 50% inhibition of 3H-hypoxanthine incorporation.