Table 2: Major membrane proteins.

Classification		Comments	References
Cytoskeletal proteins	Spectrin	Represents 30% of the total mass of membrane proteins. Formed of two polypeptide chains α and β of molecular masses 280 and 245 kDa respectively, the spectrin filaments interact with the actin and the band IV. Interactions between Plasmodium proteins and spectrin facilitate the entry and exit of merozoites. The exit of merozoites is a process (15-20 hours) using proteases as calpain-1 and perforin which proteolyze the cytoskeletal proteins leading to the dismantling of cellular membrane (Figs. 3, 4 and 5).	[145-157]
	Ankyrine	Cytoskeletal proteins with a molecular mass 215 kDa. Ankyrin interacts with spectrin and band 3. Erythrocytes deficient in spectrin and/or ankyrin, are resistant to Plasmodium invasion (Figs. 3, 4 and 5).	[147-158]
	Band IV	The band 4.1 (IV.1a, IV.1b) interacts with glycophorin and microfilaments (actin and spectrin). The relative amount of IV.1a increases during aging of the cells. During blood preservation, there is an increase in band II.3 (185 kDa) and band IV.2 (72 kDa). Plasmodium proteins exhibit specific interactions with band IV.	[159-164]
	Actin	Proteins of the filamentous cytoskeletons (microfilaments) consisting of a double helical chain. Actin and spectrin constitute the filamentous network of the cytoskeleton ensuring the stability of the plasma membrane. Plasmodium proteins specifically bind to spectrin and actin (Figs. 3, 4 and 5).	[148-165]
Integral proteins	Aquaporin	Protein pore with a molecular mass of 25 to 35 kD. Water permeable and preventing other molecules (ions) to enter the cell. It is a key molecule in the mechanism of cerebral malaria. An expression threshold of AQP4 is necessary to induce neurovascular pathology.	[166-169]
	Band III	Consists approximately 25% of membrane proteins. It has a role in ion exchange across the membrane. It interacts with band IV.1, band IV.2, glycophorin, ankyrin, and other cytoplasmic proteins. Plasmodium-band 3 interaction plays an essential role in Plasmodium invasion of red blood cells.	[170-174]
	Glycophorin	Glycophorins (sialoglycoproteins) represent 6% of membrane proteins. Glycophorins carry the majority of sugars and sialic acids. Glycophorin A carries M and N antigens. Glycophorin B carries antigens of blood groups S, s and U. The glycophorins C and D carry antigens of blood group Gerbich. Glycophorins have a major action in Plasmodium invasion of red blood cells.	[174, 175]