Putative circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of is considerably distinct from the well-known CSP and plays a role in the protein ubiquitination pathway.

Amidst technical challenges which limit successful culture and genetic manipulation of parasites, we used a computational approach to identify a critical target with evolutionary significance. The putative circumsporozoite protein on chromosome 13 of (puCSP)is distinct from the well-known vaccine candidate CSP. The aim of this study was to understand the role of puCSP and its relatedness to the well-known CSP. The study revealed puCSP as a membrane bound E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in ubiquitination. It has a species-specific tetra-peptide unit which is differentially repeated in various strains. The puCSP is different from CSP in terms of stage-specific expression and function. Since E3 ubiquitin ligases are known antimalarial drug targets targeting the proteasome pathway, puCSP, with evolutionary connotation and a key role in orchestrating protein degradation in , can be explored as a potential drug target.