Molecular systematics of the three mitochondrial protein-coding genes of malaria parasites: corroborative and new evidence for the origins of human malaria.
OBJECTIVE
The mitochondrial genomes of malaria parasites (Plasmodium and related genera) are extremely small and contain just three protein-coding genes. These short linear genomes are tandemly repeated, allowing for amplification of the entire unit using a single pair of outwardly facing primers.


METHODS
Using this approach, I sequenced full mitochondrial genomes for seven new lineages of these parasites belonging to four genera and then, combining these new sequences with other published ones, I examined the phylogenetic utility of each of the three protein-coding genes, alone and when concatenated into a data-set of 3315 nucleotides.


RESULTS
Most relationships recovered are consistent with previous studies of the group.


CONCLUSIONS
Support for an Asian origin of Plasmodium vivax and a sister relationship of Plasmodium falciparum to the rodent malaria parasites was observed in this study. However, if a broad understanding of the evolutionary relationships of this group is to truly be understood, it is clear that loci outside the mitochondrial genome should be explored.
Perkins
Susan L
SL
Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA. perkins@amnh.org
D000818:Animals; D001482:Base Composition; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D054629:Genome, Mitochondrial; D018503:Genome, Protozoan; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins