Sexual-stage-specific RNA expression of a new Plasmodium falciparum gene detected by in situ hybridisation.
A gene, Pf77, transcribed in the sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum was isolated from a genomic expression library with a polyclonal antibody raised to gametocyte proteins. The entire coding region was obtained from a series of overlapping genomic and cDNA clones (from gametocyte RNA). A single open reading frame is present with no introns and no tandem repeat sequences. A Pf77 probe hybridised to a single transcript present in RNA prepared from purified gametocytes and could not be detected in RNA prepared from asexual blood stages. In situ hybridisation studies confirmed that the expression of Pf77 mRNA is sexual-stage-specific and in addition, showed that Pf77 mRNA is present only in female gametocytes during the vertebrate stages of the parasite's development.
Baker
D A
DA
Department of Medical Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
Thompson
J
J
Daramola
O O
OO
Carlton
J M
JM
Targett
G A
GA
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000469:parasitology; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015723:Gene Library; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016053:RNA, Protozoan