Genetic diversity of the Pvk12 gene in Plasmodium vivax from the China-Myanmar border area.
BACKGROUND
Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin emerged in the Greater Mekong Sub-region has been associated with mutations in the propeller domain of the kelch gene Pfk13.


METHODS
Here the polymorphisms in Pvk12 gene, the orthologue of Pfk13 in Plasmodium vivax, were determined by PCR and sequencing in 262 clinical isolates collected in recent years (2012-2015) from the China-Myanmar border area.


RESULTS
Sequencing of full-length Pvk12 genes from these isolates identified three synonymous mutations (N172N, S360S, S697S) and one non-synonymous mutation M124I, all of which were at very low prevalence (2.0-3.1%). Moreover, these mutations were non-overlapping between the two study sites on both sides of the border. Molecular evolutionary analysis detected signature of purifying selection on Pvk12.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no direct evidence that Pvk12 is involved in artemisinin resistance in P. vivax, but it remains a potential candidate requiring further investigation. Continuous monitoring of potential drug resistance in this parasite is needed in order to facilitate the regional malaria elimination campaign.
Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.|Department of Pathology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
Shuang
S
Deng
Department of Pathology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
Yonghua
Y
Ruan
Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.|Department of Pharmacology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
Yao
Y
Bai
Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.|Department of Pathology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
Yue
Y
Hu
Department of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
Zeshuai
Z
Deng
Department of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
Yongshu
Y
He
Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
Rui
R
Ruan
Department of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
Yanrui
Y
Wu
Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China. zhaoqingy92@hotmail.com.
Zhaoqing
Z
Yang
Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China. luc2@psu.edu.
Liwang
L
Cui
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002681:China; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology; D009154:Mutation; D002052:Myanmar; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D007783:Lactones; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C075875:artemisin
Malaria; Molecular surveillance; Plasmodium vivax; Polymorphism; Pvk12 gene