Effect of heterozygous beta thalassemia on the phosphorylative response to Plasmodium falciparum infection

► Het-βThal exacerbates the oxidative stress exerted by malaria parasite. ► Het-βThal promotes early band 3 oxidation and Tyr-phosphorylation. ► At later growth stages Het-βThal causes widespread membrane protein phosphorylation. ► In parasitized erythrocytes Het-βThal promotes membrane destabilization and hemolysis. ► Reducing agents revert the effect of Het-βThal.