Insights into the molecular diversity of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-3? (pvmsp3?), a polymorphic member in the msp3 multi-gene family.
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ABSTRACT: Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 3 (PvMSP3) is encoded by a multi-gene family. Of these, PvMSP3?, PvMSP3? and PvMSP3?, are considered to be vaccine targets. Despite comprehensive analyses of PvMSP3? and PvMSP3?, little is known about structural and sequence diversity in PvMSP3?. Analysis of 118 complete pvmsp3? sequences from diverse endemic areas of Thailand and 9 reported sequences has shown 86 distinct haplotypes. Based on variation in insert domains, pvmsp3? can be classified into 3 types, i.e. Belem, Salvador I and NR520. Imperfect nucleotide repeats were found in six regions of the gene; none encoded tandem amino acid repeats. Predicted coiled-coil heptad repeats were abundant in the protein and displayed variation in length and location. Interspersed phase shifts occurred in the heptad arrays that may have an impact on protein structure. Polymorphism in pvmsp3? seems to be generated by intragenic recombination and driven by natural selection. Most P. vivax isolates in Thailand exhibit population structure, suggesting limited gene flow across endemic areas. Phylogenetic analysis has suggested that insert domains could have been subsequently acquired during the evolution of pvmsp3?. Sequence and structural diversity of PvMSP3? may complicate vaccine design due to alteration in predicted immunogenic epitopes among variants.
SUBMITTER: Kuamsab N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7335089 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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