title: Sex- and stage-specific reporter gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum.
abstract: For malaria transmission, Plasmodium parasites must successfully complete gametocytogenesis in the vertebrate host. Differentiation into mature male or female Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes takes 9-12 days as the parasites pass through five distinct morphologic stages (I-V). To evaluate the signals controlling the initiation of stage- and/or sex-specific expression, reporter constructs containing the 5'-flanking regions (FR) of seven genes with distinct expression patterns through gametogenesis were developed. The regulatory information present in the 5'-FR of each selected gene was found to be sufficient to drive appropriate sex- and stage-specific reporter gene expression. The transformed parasite lines also provide in vivo markers to identify gametocytes at specific stages, including a subpopulation of schizonts that express early gametocyte markers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, 6525 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626, USA.
authors.forename: Saliha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eksi
authors.forename: Amreena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suri
authors.forename: Kim C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*