Radiation-induced cellular and molecular alterations in asexual intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum.

ABSTRACT:

Background

γ-irradiation is commonly used to create attenuation in Plasmodium parasites. However, there are no systematic studies on the survival, reversion of virulence, and molecular basis for γ-radiation-induced cell death in malaria parasites.

Methods

The effect of γ-irradiation on the growth of asexual Plasmodium falciparum was studied in erythrocyte cultures. Cellular and ultrastructural changes within the parasite were studied by fluorescence and electron microscopy, and genome-wide transcriptional profiling was performed to identify parasite biomarkers of attenuation and cell death.

Results

γ-radiation induced the death of P. falciparum in a dose-dependent manner. These parasites had defective mitosis, sparse cytoplasm, fewer ribosomes, disorganized and clumpe

SUBMITTER: Oakley MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3523796 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature