The Plasmodium falciparum var gene transcription strategy at the onset of blood stage infection in a human volunteer

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Plasmodium falciparum var gene transcription strategy at the onset of blood stage infection in a human volunteer

AU - Wang, Christian W

AU - Hermsen, Cornelus C

AU - Sauerwein, Robert W

AU - Arnot, David E

AU - Theander, Thor G

AU - Lavstsen, Thomas

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - The var genes encode a family of adhesion receptor proteins, Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), which profoundly influence malaria pathogenesis. Only a single var gene is transcribed and one PfEMP1 expressed per P.falciparum parasite. Here we present the in vivo transcript distribution of var genes in a P. falciparum-infected non-immune individual and show that the initial expression of PfEMP1 is based on a strategy that allows all or most variants of PfEMP1s to be expressed by the parasite population at the onset of the blood stage infection.

AB - The var genes encode a family of adhesion receptor proteins, Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), which profoundly influence malaria pathogenesis. Only a single var gene is transcribed and one PfEMP1 expressed per P.falciparum parasite. Here we present the in vivo transcript distribution of var genes in a P. falciparum-infected non-immune individual and show that the initial expression of PfEMP1 is based on a strategy that allows all or most variants of PfEMP1s to be expressed by the parasite population at the onset of the blood stage infection.

U2 - 10.1016/j.parint.2009.07.004

DO - 10.1016/j.parint.2009.07.004

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19616120

SN - 1383-5769

VL - 58

SP - 478

EP - 480

JO - Parasitology International

JF - Parasitology International

IS - 4

ER -