DNA secondary structures are associated with recombination in major Plasmodium falciparum variable surface antigen gene families.

ABSTRACT: Many bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens undergo antigenic variation to counter host immune defense mechanisms. In Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal of human malaria parasites, switching of var gene expression results in alternating expression of the adhesion proteins of the Plasmodium falciparum-erythrocyte membrane protein 1 class on the infected erythrocyte surface. Recombination clearly generates var diversity, but the nature and control of the genetic exchanges involved remain unclear. By experimental and bioinformatic identification of recombination events and genome-wide recombination hotspots in var genes, we show that during the parasite's sexual stages, ectopic recombination between isogenous var paralogs occurs near low folding free energy DNA 50-mers and that these se

SUBMITTER: Sander AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3936766 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature