Uniparental inheritance of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b in Plasmodium falciparum.
The inheritance of an extrachromosomal 6-kb element has been examined in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. A single base pair difference in the cytochrome b gene from the 6-kb element of two different cloned lines of the parasite was identified, and used as a marker in a cross in the mosquito stage of the life cycle. Analysis of 59 individual hybrid oocysts resulting from this cross clearly demonstrated that inheritance of the cytochrome b gene was uniparental. This observation makes it possible to investigate the inheritance and evolution of cytoplasmic traits, including certain forms of drug resistance, in natural populations of this parasite.
Creasey
A M
AM
Institute of Cell Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Ranford-Cartwright
L C
LC
Moore
D J
DJ
Williamson
D H
DH
Wilson
R J
RJ
Walliker
D
D
Carter
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003573:Cytochrome b Group / Q000235:genetics*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
D003573:Cytochrome b Group; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded