Gene copy number variation in natural populations of Plasmodium falciparum in Eastern Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gene copy number variants (CNVs), which consist of deletions and amplifications of single or sets of contiguous genes, contribute to the great diversity in the Plasmodium falciparum genome. In vitro studies in the laboratory have revealed their important role in parasite fitness phenotypes such as red cell invasion, transmissibility and cytoadherence. Studies of natural parasite populations indicate that CNVs are also common in the field and thus may facilitate adaptation of the parasite to its local environment.

Results

In a survey of 183 fresh field isolates from three populations in Eastern Africa with different malaria transmission intensities, we identified 94 CNV loci using microarrays. All CNVs had low population frequencies (minor allele frequency < 5%) bu

SUBMITTER: Simam J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5963192 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature