Transcriptome sequencing and analysis of Plasmodium gallinaceum reveals polymorphisms and selection on the apical membrane antigen-1.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plasmodium erythrocyte invasion genes play a key role in malaria parasite transmission, host-specificity and immuno-evasion. However, the evolution of the genes responsible remains understudied. Investigating these genes in avian malaria parasites, where diversity is particularly high, offers new insights into the processes that confer malaria pathogenesis. These parasites can pose a significant threat to birds and since birds play crucial ecological roles they serve as important models for disease dynamics. Comprehensive knowledge of the genetic factors involved in avian malaria parasite invasion is lacking and has been hampered by difficulties in obtaining nuclear data from avian malaria parasites. Thus the first Illumina-based de novo transcriptome sequencing and anal

SUBMITTER: Lauron EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4182871 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature