The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum encodes members of the Puf RNA-binding protein family with conserved RNA binding activity.

ABSTRACT: A novel class of RNA-binding proteins, Puf, regulates translation and RNA stability by binding to specific sequences in the 3'-untranslated region of target mRNAs. Members of this protein family share a conserved Puf domain consisting of eight 36 amino acid imperfect repeats. Here we report two Puf family member genes, PfPuf1 and PfPuf2, from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Both genes are spliced with four and three introns clustered within or near the Puf domains, respectively. Northern and RT-PCR analysis indicated that both genes were differentially expressed in gametocytes during erythrocytic development of the parasite. Except for similarities in the Puf domain and expression profile, the deduced PfPuf1 and PfPuf2 proteins differ considerably in size and structure. P

SUBMITTER: Cui L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC135818 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature