Expression and strain variation of the novel "small open reading frame" (smorf) multigene family in Babesia bovis.

ABSTRACT: Small open reading frame (smorf) genes comprise the second largest Babesia bovis multigene family. All known 44 variant smorf genes are located in close chromosomal proximity to ves1 genes, which encode proteins that mediate cytoadhesion and contribute to immune evasion. In this study, we characterised the general topology of smorf genes and investigated the gene repertoire, transcriptional profile and SMORF expression in two distinct strains, T2Bo and Mo7. Sequence analysis using degenerate primers identified additional smorf genes in each strain and demonstrated that the smorf gene repertoire varies between strains, with conserved and unique genes in both. Smorf genes have multiple semi-conserved and variable blocks, and a large hypervariable insertion in 20 of the 44 genes defines two m

SUBMITTER: Ferreri LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3459096 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature