In silico characterization of genetic homology in nuclear-encoded apicoplast-targeted genes between Plasmodium falciparum & P. vivax.
OBJECTIVE
Resistance to anti-malarial drugs by the parasites is one of the major obstacles to malaria control. The primary objective of this work was to find specific nuclear-encoded-apicoplast-targeted genes that are conserved between two different human malaria parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax to find a common drug/vaccine targets for both the species.


METHODS
Using computational genomics, possible nuclear-encoded-apicoplast-targeted genes were identified in P. falciparum genome. With comparative genomic approaches, homologous genes were identified between the two different human malaria species, P. falciparum and P. vivax.


RESULTS
Of the total 545 reported nuclear-encoded-apicoplast-targeted genes in P. falciparum, we could narrow down to as less as five genes that were found to have highly conserved nucleotide stretches in P. vivax. However, two such genes were of importance, as the majority of the protein coding regions (exons) of these genes were found to be highly conserved between them.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study shows that nuclear-encoded-apicoplast-targeted genes were conserved between the two human malaria parasites and these could be targeted for developing a common drug to cure both forms of malaria.
Mohanty
Sujata
S
Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology University, NOIDA, India. sujatam2005@yahoo.com
Saklani
Shilpa
S
Mahajan
Mukesh
M
D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D017125:Genes, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000235:genetics*; D017385:Sequence Homology