Differential var gene transcription in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from patients with cerebral malaria compared to hyperparasitaemia

• DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2006.08.005
• Publication Date: 2006-09-06T14:32:41Z
• Authors: Helen M. Kyriacou; Graham N. Stone; Richard J. Challis; Ahmed Raza; Kirsten E. Lyke; Mahamadou A. Thera; Abdoulaye K. Koné; Ogobara K. Doumbo; Christopher V. Plowe; J. Alexandra Rowe
• Keywords: Cerebral Malaria; Antigenic variation; Pathogenesis

The Plasmodium falciparum variant erythrocyte surface antigens known as PfEMP1, encoded by the var gene family, are thought to play a crucial role in malaria pathogenesis because they mediate adhesion host cells and immuno-modulation. Var genes have been divided into three major groups (A, B C) two intermediate (B/A B/C) on basis of their genomic location upstream sequence. We analysed expressed sequence tags DBLalpha domain investigate transcription relation disease severity Malian children. found that P. isolates from children with cerebral (unrousable coma) predominantly transcribe DBLalpha1-like domains characteristic Group A or B/A genes. In contrast, equally high parasite burdens but no symptoms signs severe (hyperparasitaemia patients) DBLalpha0-like C-related groups. These results suggest (Group B/A) may be implicated malaria, while promote less virulent infections.