Low genetic diversity and functional constraint in loci encoding Plasmodium vivax P12 and P38 proteins in the Colombian population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plasmodium vivax is one of the five species causing malaria in human beings, affecting around 391 million people annually. The development of an anti-malarial vaccine has been proposed as an alternative for controlling this disease. However, its development has been hampered by allele-specific responses produced by the high genetic diversity shown by some parasite antigens. Evaluating these antigens' genetic diversity is thus essential when designing a completely effective vaccine.

Methods

The gene sequences of Plasmodium vivax p12 (pv12) and p38 (pv38), obtained from field isolates in Colombia, were used for evaluating haplotype polymorphism and distribution by population genetics analysis. The evolutionary forces generating the variation pattern so observed were

SUBMITTER: Forero-Rodriguez J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3930544 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature