Abstract: An immunovariant adhesion protein family in Plasmodium falciparum named erythrocyte membrane protein 1（PfEMP1）, encoded by var genes, is responsible for both antigenic variation and cytoadhesion of infected erythrocytes at microvasculature sites throughout the body. The article summarizes antigen variation and pathogenicity, variation molecules expressed on infected erythrocytes, structure of var gene family, PfEMP1 adhesion properites, and regulation of variation in Plasmodium falciparum var gene family.

Key words: Plasmodium falciparum, Var gene, PfEMP1, Antigen variation