Transcription of multiple var genes by individual, trophozoite-stage Plasmodium falciparum cells expressing a chondroitin sulphate A binding phenotype.
In this study, we detected multiple var gene transcripts within single, mature trophozoite-infected red blood cells (iRBCs) bound to chondroitin sulphate A (CSA). Several of the var detected had previously been demonstrated to encode Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1 (PfEMP-1) variants with domains that mediated iRBC adhesion to receptors other than CSA. Parasites expressing the CSA-adherent phenotype transcribed far more of one var than of all others, but this gene was different from the two other var previously purported to encode adhesion to CSA. Previous work suggesting that only single var are transcribed by mature trophozoites needs re-examination in the light of these data from single, infected cells.
Duffy
Michael F
MF
Australian Indonesia Medical Research Initiative (AusAID), Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Eijkman Building, Jl. Diponegoro 69, Jakarta, Indonesia 10430. mduffy@unimelb.edu.au
Brown
Graham V
GV
Basuki
Wanny
W
Krejany
Efrosinia O
EO
Noviyanti
Rintis
R
Cowman
Alan F
AF
Reeder
John C
JC
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C085731:erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates