Multiple var gene transcripts are expressed in Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes selected for adhesion
- Author(s)
- Noviyanti, R; Brown, GV; Wickham, ME; Duffy, MF; Cowman, AF; Reeder, JC;
- Details
- Publication Year 2001-05,Volume 114,Issue #2,Page 227-237
- Journal Title
- MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- Adherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to the post-capillary endothelium is an important characteristic of malaria infection. The adhesion is mediated predominantly by P. falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1), a clonally variant protein expressed on the surface of infected red blood cells that appears to be a target of protective immunity. A multi-membered var gene family encodes PfEMP1 and switching expression of different var genes conveys different antigenic and adhesive properties to infected red blood cells. Knowledge about transcriptional control of phenotypic expression, or the mechanisms that allow multiple binding specificities, is very limited. Here, we describe a series of phenotypic selection experiments, which resulted in the expression of different PfEMP1 acid the detection of multiple full-length var gene transcripts in the mature trophozoite stage. However, a dominant form of PFEMP1 appeared to be expressed, which suggested that most var transcripts do not lead to a surface expressed PfEMP1 molecule. Parasites bound to specific receptors still expressed multiple full-length var. genes and mature trophozoites selected for increased adhesion to a specific receptor retained the ability to bind to multiple receptors. Our findings suggest that a defined adhesive phenotype can be associated with expression of multiple oar genes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
- Publisher
- ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
- Keywords
- CHONDROITIN SULFATE-A; ANTIGENIC VARIATION; MEMBRANE PROTEIN-1; CEREBRAL MALARIA; CELL-SURFACE; P-FALCIPARUM; RECEPTOR; CYTOADHERENCE; MOLECULE-1; ADHERENCE
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-6851(01)00266-3
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2001-05-01 12:00:00