Evidence for intragenic recombination in Plasmodium falciparum: identification of a novel allele family in block 2 of merozoite surface protein-1: Asembo Bay Area Cohort Project XIV.
We have investigated intragenic recombination in Block 2 of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1), where three allele-specific families: K1, Mad20, and RO33 were previously known. Using parasites from western Kenya, we have found a fourth Block 2 allele type, which is a recombinant between Mad20 and RO33 alleles. These recombinant alleles, which we have termed MR, contain sequence from the 5' region of Mad20 and the 3' region of RO33. The results of this study provide new data on the complexity of the MSP-1 antigen gene, which is a candidate vaccine antigen, and further support the importance of intragenic recombination in generating genetic variability in Plasmodium falciparum parasites in nature.
Takala
Shannon
S
Molecular Vaccine Section, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mail Stop-F12, 4770 Buford Hwy., Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Branch
OraLee
O
Escalante
Ananias A
AA
Kariuki
Simon
S
Wootton
John
J
Lal
Altaf A
AA
D000483:Alleles; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005784:Gene Amplification; D017125:Genes, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007630:Kenya; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1