Transformation of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites by homologous integration of plasmids that confer resistance to pyrimethamine.

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.3.1130
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T10:34:16Z
• Authors: Y Wu; L A Kirkman; T E Wellems
• Keywords: Dihydrofolate reductase; Plasmodium chabaudi

Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites were transformed with plasmids containing P. or Toxoplasma gondii dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (dhfr-ts) coding sequences that confer resistance to pyrimethamine. Under pyrimethamine pressure, obtained maintained the transfected as unrearranged episomes for several weeks. These parasite populations replaced after 2 3 months by had incorporated DNA into nuclear chromosomes. Depending upon particular construct used transformation, homologous integration was detected in dhfr-ts locus (chromosome 4) hrp3 and hrp2 plasmid constructs gene control regions (chromosomes 13 8, respectively). Transformation sets stage targeted alterations knock-outs will advance understanding of falciparum.