A coordinated transcriptional switching network mediates antigenic variation of human malaria parasites

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.83840
• Publication Date: 2022-12-14T11:15:45Z
• Authors: Xu Zhang; Francesca Florini; Joseph E Visone; Irina Lionardi; Mackensie R Gross; Valay Patel; Kirk W Deitsch
• Keywords: Antigenic variation; Gene regulatory network

Malaria parasites avoid immune clearance through their ability to systematically alter antigens exposed on the surface of infected red blood cells. This is accomplished by tightly regulated transcriptional control individual members a large, multicopy gene family called var and key both virulence chronic nature malaria infections. Expression genes mutually exclusive controlled epigenetically, however how large populations coordinate switching premature exposure antigenic repertoire unknown. Here, we provide evidence for network anchored universally conserved var2csa that coordinates process. We describe structured bias shifts overtime could shape pattern expression over course lengthy infection. Our results an explanation previously mysterious aspect infections shed light possessing relatively small variant antigen-encoding can events limit antigen exposure, thereby maintaining