Research progress on the expression regulation of var genes in Plasmodium falciparum

doi:10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2021.06.001

Abstract

Abstract:

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium infection. The erythrocyte membrane surface protein 1 (PfEMP1) encoded by the var gene family is the key virulence factor in the pathogenic process of P. falciparum, which is closely related with the antigen variation and cytoadhesion. The expression of var genes is strictly controlled by time and space. Generally, a single Plasmodium parasite expresses only one var gene in the erythrocytic stage, following a mutually exclusive expression strategy. Based upon current researches, we make a comprehensive summary on var gene expression regulation mechanism to improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of malaria.

Key words: Plasmodium falciparum, Virulence factor, var genes, Expression regulation, Epigenetic modification

CLC Number:

R382.312

SHI Ming-li, XIAO Bo, JIANG Lu-bin. Research progress on the expression regulation of var genes in Plasmodium falciparum[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES, 2021, 39(6): 719-724.

Figures/Tables 1

References 55

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