[Transcription profile of PfRON4 gene in Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic stage].
OBJECTIVE
To reveal the transcription profile of PfRON4 gene in Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic stage.


METHODS
P. falciparum schizonts were purified by differential centrifugation on a Percoll-sorbitol gradient, after which the released merozoites were allowed to invade uninfected erythrocytes for 4 hours before the clearance of all remaining schizonts using 5% D-sorbitol. The cultured synchronous parasites were harvested for RNA assay immediately, 24 hours later, and then at every 6th hour. PfRON4 and related genes (PfAMA1 and PfRhopH2) were amplified by real-time PCR for establishing standard curves to evaluate the copy number of genes.


RESULTS
P. falciparum parasites were well synchronized. Those quantative analyses were reliable because the R value of standard curves were more than 0.98 and the melting curve showed a single peak. When parasites were in the schizont stage, PfRON4 gene transcription reached a peak in 36-40 hours after invasion.


CONCLUSIONS
The transcription of PfRON4 peaks at mature schizont stage, suggesting that the PfRON4 gene may involve in erythrocyte-invasion of P. falciparum.
Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China.
Jun
J
Cao
Osamu
O
Kaneko
Qi
Q
Gao
Hua-Yun
HY
Zhou
Cao-Ming
CM
Xia
Hong-Xiang
HX
Zhuge
Takafumi
T
Tsuboi
Motomi
M
Torii
D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D015800:Protozoan Proteins