Male-specific expression of the paralog of malaria transmission-blocking target antigen Pfs230, PfB0400w.
Mol Biochem Parasitol
; 122(2): 127-30, 2002 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12106866
ABSTRACT
Malaria transmission requires that Plasmodium parasites circulating in the vertebrate host develop into male and female gametocytes, which are then taken up by a mosquito to undergo fertilization and further development into infectious sporozoites. To understand the malaria specific events involved in this process, the gene products involved require identification and characterization. This work demonstrates that antibodies generated against the paralog of malaria transmission-blocking antigen Pfs230, PfB0400w, react only with stage V male gametocytes, not gametes or asexual parasites. In contrast, Pfs230 is expressed on the surface of all gametocytes and remains associated with emerged gametes as one of the primary surface antigens for several hours. Consistent with the localization findings, a high molecular weight band is recognized by anti-PfB0400w antibodies on western blots of extracts of late stage gametocytes, not asexual parasites, early (stage II/III) gametocytes, or gametes. PfB0400w mRNA is also not observed in asexual parasites. The transcript levels peak in stage III/IV gametocytes, then sharply decline in gametes. This work identifies a novel male-specific protein with an expression pattern that is distinctly different than its paralog.
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Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Plasmodium falciparum
/
Proteínas Protozoarias
/
Duplicación de Gen
/
Antígenos de Protozoos
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mol Biochem Parasitol
Año:
2002
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos