Genomic variation in two gametocyte non-producing Plasmodium falciparum clonal lines.
BACKGROUND
Transmission of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum from humans to the mosquito vector requires differentiation of a sub-population of asexual forms replicating within red blood cells into non-dividing male and female gametocytes. The nature of the molecular mechanism underlying this key differentiation event required for malaria transmission is not fully understood.


METHODS
Whole genome sequencing was used to examine the genomic diversity of the gametocyte non-producing 3D7-derived lines F12 and A4. These lines were used in the recent detection of the PF3D7_1222600 locus (encoding PfAP2-G), which acts as a genetic master switch that triggers gametocyte development.


RESULTS
The evolutionary changes from the 3D7 parental strain through its derivatives F12 (culture-passage derived cloned line) and A4 (transgenic cloned line) were identified. The genetic differences including the formation of chimeric var genes are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
A genomics resource is provided for the further study of gametocytogenesis or other phenotypes using these parasite lines.
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK. susana.campino@lshtm.ac.uk.
Susana
S
Campino
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Ernest Diez
ED
Benavente
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Samuel
S
Assefa
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Eloise
E
Thompson
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Laura G
LG
Drought
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Catherine J
CJ
Taylor
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Zaria
Z
Gorvett
The European Molecular Biology Organization, Heidelberg, Germany.
Celine K
CK
Carret
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Christian
C
Flueck
Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Al C
AC
Ivens
Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.|Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Dominic P
DP
Kwiatkowski
Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Pietro
P
Alano
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
David A
DA
Baker
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.|Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Taane G
TG
Clark
D005718:Gametogenesis; D018503:Genome, Protozoan; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
A4; ApiAP2 gene family; F12; Gametocytes; Plasmodium falciparum; Whole genome sequencing