Epigenetic regulation of Plasmodium falciparum clonally variant gene expression during development in Anopheles gambiae.

ABSTRACT: P. falciparum phenotypic plasticity is linked to the variant expression of clonal multigene families such as the var genes. We have examined changes in transcription and histone modifications that occur during sporogonic development of P. falciparum in the mosquito host. All var genes are silenced or transcribed at low levels in blood stages (gametocyte/ring) of the parasite in the human host. After infection of mosquitoes, a single var gene is selected for expression in the oocyst, and transcription of this gene increases dramatically in the sporozoite. The same PF3D7_1255200 var gene was activated in 4 different experimental infections. Transcription of this var gene during parasite development in the mosquito correlates with the presence of low levels of H3K9me3 at the binding site for

SUBMITTER: Gomez-Diaz E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5238449 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature