Differential var gene transcription in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from patients with cerebral malaria compared to hyperparasitaemia.
Mol Biochem Parasitol
; 150(2): 211-8, 2006 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16996149
ABSTRACT
The Plasmodium falciparum variant erythrocyte surface antigens known as PfEMP1, encoded by the var gene family, are thought to play a crucial role in malaria pathogenesis because they mediate adhesion to host cells and immuno-modulation. Var genes have been divided into three major groups (A, B and C) and two intermediate groups (B/A and B/C) on the basis of their genomic location and upstream sequence. We analysed expressed sequence tags of the var gene DBLalpha domain to investigate var gene transcription in relation to disease severity in Malian children. We found that P. falciparum isolates from children with cerebral malaria (unrousable coma) predominantly transcribe var genes with DBLalpha1-like domains that are characteristic of Group A or B/A var genes. In contrast, isolates from children with equally high parasite burdens but no symptoms or signs of severe malaria (hyperparasitaemia patients) predominantly transcribe var genes with DBLalpha0-like domains that are characteristic of the B and C-related var gene groups. These results suggest that var genes with DBLalpha1-like domains (Group A or B/A) may be implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, while var genes with DBLalpha0-like domains promote less virulent malaria infections.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Plasmodium falciparum
/
Transcrição Gênica
/
Proteínas de Protozoários
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Malária Falciparum
/
Malária Cerebral
/
Genes de Protozoários
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
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Child, preschool
/
Humans
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Infant
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mol Biochem Parasitol
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido