Project description:Genome-wide ChIP-sequencing analysis of PfMCM6 was carried out in trophozoite stage parasites using PfMCM6 antibodies. We have observed that PfMCM6 is highly enriched at the exon regions. Moreover, PfMCM6 was also found in promoter-TSS, transcription termination site (TTS), and intergenic regions in minimal proportion. This study shed some light on PfMCM6 binding sites in Plasmodium falciparum genome.
Project description:Genome-wide ChIP-sequencing analysis of PfGCN5 was carried out in asynchronous stage (trophozoite and schizont stage enriched) parasites using PfGCN5 antibodies. We have observed that PfGCN5 is majorly associated with promoter regions of genes. Moreover, a uniform distribution was found in exons, transcription termination site, and intergenic regions. This study shed some light on PfGCN5 binding sites on Plasmodium falciparum genome.
Project description:BackgroundMalaria parasites need to synthesize chitinase in order to go through the peritrophic membrane, which is created around the mosquito midgut, to complete its life cycle. In mammalian malaria species, the chitinase gene comprises either a large or a short copy. In the avian malaria parasites Plasmodium gallinaceum both copies are present, suggesting that a gene duplication in the ancestor to these extant species preceded the loss of either the long or the short copy in Plasmodium parasites of mammals. Plasmodium gallinaceum is not the most widespread and harmful parasite of birds. This study is the first to search for and identify the chitinase gene in one of the most prevalent avian malaria parasites, Plasmodium relictum.MethodsBoth copies of P. gallinaceum chitinase were used as reference sequences for primer design. Different sequences of Plasmodium spp. were used to build the phylogenetic tree of chitinase gene.ResultsThe gene encoding for chitinase was identified in isolates of two mitochondrial lineages of P. relictum (SGS1 and GRW4). The chitinase found in these two lineages consists both of the long (PrCHT1) and the short (PrCHT2) copy. The genetic differences found in the long copy of the chitinase gene between SGS1 and GRW4 were higher than the difference observed for the cytochrome b gene.ConclusionThe identification of both copies in P. relictum sheds light on the phylogenetic relationship of the chitinase gene in the genus Plasmodium. Due to its high variability, the chitinase gene could be used to study the genetic population structure in isolates from different host species and geographic regions.
