Sub-grouping and sub-functionalization of the RIFIN multi-copy protein family.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Parasitic protozoans possess many multicopy gene families which have central roles in parasite survival and virulence. The number and variability of members of these gene families often make it difficult to predict possible functions of the encoded proteins. The families of extra-cellular proteins that are exposed to a host immune response have been driven via immune selection to become antigenically variant, and thereby avoid immune recognition while maintaining protein function to establish a chronic infection.

Results

We have combined phylogenetic and function shift analyses to study the evolution of the RIFIN proteins, which are antigenically variant and are encoded by the largest multicopy gene family in Plasmodium falciparum. We show that this family can be

SUBMITTER: Joannin N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2257938 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature