title: Identification of a rare point mutation at C-terminus of merozoite surface antigen-1 gene of Plasmodium falciparum in eastern Indian isolates.
abstract: Merozoite surface antigen-1 (MSA-1) of Plasmodium falciparum is highly immunogenic in human. Several studies suggest that MSA-1 protein is an effective target for a protective immune response. Attempt has been made to find new point mutations by analyzing 244 bp [codon 1655(R) to 1735 (I)] relatively conserved C-terminus region of MSA-1 gene in 125 isolates. This region contains two EGF like domains, which are involved in generating protective immune response in human. Point mutations in this region are very much important in view of vaccine development. Searching of mutational hot spots in MSA-1 protein by sequencing method in a representative number of isolates is quite critical and expensive. Therefore, in this study slot blot and PCR-SSCP method have been used to find out new mutations in the individual isolates showing alterations in the mobility of DNA fragment. Sequencing of the altered bands from the SSCP gel shows a rare non-synonymous point mutation in 7 (5.6%) of the 125 isolates at amino acid position 1704 of MSA-1 gene where isoleucine is replaced by valine.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar 751 023, India.
authors.forename: Dipak Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: Bibhu Ranjan
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Dash
authors.forename: Prakash C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Supakar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009710:Nucleotide Mapping; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000737:chemistry; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D017354:Point Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes