title: Adaptive differentiation of Plasmodium falciparum populations inferred from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) conferring drug resistance and from neutral SNPs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Theoretical and experimental data support the geographic differentiation strategy as a valuable tool for detecting loci under selection. In the context of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, few populations have been studied, with limited genomic coverage.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined geographic differentiation in P. falciparum populations on the basis of 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 4 genes encoding drug resistance determinants, 5 SNPs in 2 genes encoding antigens, and a set of 17 putatively neutral SNPs dispersed on 13 chromosomes. We sampled 326 parasite isolates representing 7 P. falciparum populations from regions with varied levels of malaria transmission (Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mayotte, Haiti, and the Philippines).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequencies of drug resistance alleles varied considerably among populations (mean F(ST), 0.52). In contrast, allele frequencies varied significantly less for antigenic and neutral SNPs (mean F(ST), 0.16 and 0.24, respectively). This contrasting pattern was more pronounced when only the African populations were considered. Signature of selection was detected for most of the resistant SNPs but not for the antigenic SNPs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data further validate the utility of geographic differentiation for identifying loci under strong positive selection, such as drug resistance loci. This study also provides frequencies of molecular makers of resistance in some overlooked populations.
authors: Unité Mixte de Recherche 216, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Mère et Enfant Face aux Infections Tropicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors: Oumou
authors: O
authors: Maïga-Ascofaré
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Le Bras
authors: Rabia
authors: R
authors: Mazmouz
authors: Emmanuelle
authors: E
authors: Renard
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Falcão
authors: Emeline
authors: E
authors: Broussier
authors: Dorina
authors: D
authors: Bustos
authors: Milijaona
authors: M
authors: Randrianarivelojosia
authors: Sabah A
authors: SA
authors: Omar
authors: Agnès
authors: A
authors: Aubouy
authors: Jean-François
authors: JF
authors: Lepère
authors: Vély
authors: V
authors: Jean-François
authors: Abdoulaye A
authors: AA
authors: Djimdé
authors: Jérôme
authors: J
authors: Clain
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D005843:Geography; D006205:Haiti; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan