Identification of a major <it>rif </it>transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>parasite is transmitted in its sexual gametocyte stage from man to mosquito and as asexual sporozoites from mosquito to man. Developing gametocytes sequester preferentially in the bone m...

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Main Authors: Hermsen Cornelus C, Sharp Sarah, Schwank Samana, Sutherland Colin J, Mwakalinga Steven B, Wang Christian W, Sauerwein Robert W, Theander Thor G, Lavstsen Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-05-01
Series:Malaria Journal
Online Access:http://www.malariajournal.com/content/9/1/147
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author Hermsen Cornelus C
Sharp Sarah
Schwank Samana
Sutherland Colin J
Mwakalinga Steven B
Wang Christian W
Sauerwein Robert W
Theander Thor G
Lavstsen Thomas
author_facet Hermsen Cornelus C
Sharp Sarah
Schwank Samana
Sutherland Colin J
Mwakalinga Steven B
Wang Christian W
Sauerwein Robert W
Theander Thor G
Lavstsen Thomas
author_sort Hermsen Cornelus C
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>parasite is transmitted in its sexual gametocyte stage from man to mosquito and as asexual sporozoites from mosquito to man. Developing gametocytes sequester preferentially in the bone marrow, but mature stage gametocytes are released to the bloodstream. Sexual stage parasite surface proteins are of interest as candidate target antigens for transmission blocking vaccines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, the transcript profiles of <it>rif </it>and <it>var </it>genes, known to encode surface antigens in asexual blood stage parasites, were investigated at different stages of 3D7/NF54 gametocytogenesis and in sporozoites.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Gametocytes exhibited a <it>rif </it>transcript profile unlinked to the <it>rif </it>and <it>var </it>transcript profile of the asexual progenitors. At stage V, mature gametocytes produced high levels of a single <it>rif </it>gene, PF13_0006, which also dominated the <it>rif </it>transcript profile of sporozoites. All <it>var </it>genes appeared to be silenced in sporozoites.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The most prominent variant surface antigen transcribed in both gametocytes and sporozoites of 3D7/NF54 is a single variant of the RIFIN protein family. This discovery may lead to the identification of the parasites binding ligands responsible for the adhesion during sexual stages and potentially to novel vaccine candidates.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-4cd6f5d45bd84492a9576702bffbf85d2022-12-21T21:18:15ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752010-05-019114710.1186/1475-2875-9-147Identification of a major <it>rif </it>transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>Hermsen Cornelus CSharp SarahSchwank SamanaSutherland Colin JMwakalinga Steven BWang Christian WSauerwein Robert WTheander Thor GLavstsen Thomas<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>parasite is transmitted in its sexual gametocyte stage from man to mosquito and as asexual sporozoites from mosquito to man. Developing gametocytes sequester preferentially in the bone marrow, but mature stage gametocytes are released to the bloodstream. Sexual stage parasite surface proteins are of interest as candidate target antigens for transmission blocking vaccines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, the transcript profiles of <it>rif </it>and <it>var </it>genes, known to encode surface antigens in asexual blood stage parasites, were investigated at different stages of 3D7/NF54 gametocytogenesis and in sporozoites.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Gametocytes exhibited a <it>rif </it>transcript profile unlinked to the <it>rif </it>and <it>var </it>transcript profile of the asexual progenitors. At stage V, mature gametocytes produced high levels of a single <it>rif </it>gene, PF13_0006, which also dominated the <it>rif </it>transcript profile of sporozoites. All <it>var </it>genes appeared to be silenced in sporozoites.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The most prominent variant surface antigen transcribed in both gametocytes and sporozoites of 3D7/NF54 is a single variant of the RIFIN protein family. This discovery may lead to the identification of the parasites binding ligands responsible for the adhesion during sexual stages and potentially to novel vaccine candidates.</p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/9/1/147
spellingShingle Hermsen Cornelus C
Sharp Sarah
Schwank Samana
Sutherland Colin J
Mwakalinga Steven B
Wang Christian W
Sauerwein Robert W
Theander Thor G
Lavstsen Thomas
Identification of a major <it>rif </it>transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>
Malaria Journal
title Identification of a major <it>rif </it>transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>
title_full Identification of a major <it>rif </it>transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>
title_fullStr Identification of a major <it>rif </it>transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>
title_full_unstemmed Identification of a major <it>rif </it>transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>
title_short Identification of a major <it>rif </it>transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>
title_sort identification of a major it rif it transcript common to gametocytes and sporozoites of it plasmodium falciparum it
url http://www.malariajournal.com/content/9/1/147
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