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Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum
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The origin of malignant malaria.

Stephen M Rich1, Fabian H Leendertz, Guang Xu

  • 1Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Division of Entomology (PSIS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA. smrich@psis.umass.edu

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|August 12, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum likely originated from Plasmodium reichenowi in chimpanzees. Genetic diversity suggests a single host transfer event, not co-speciation with humans.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Parasitology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Plasmodium falciparum causes severe malaria; its closest relative is Plasmodium reichenowi.
  • The co-speciation hypothesis proposed parallel evolution of these parasites and their hosts (hominins and chimpanzees).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationship between Plasmodium reichenowi and Plasmodium falciparum.
  • To test the co-speciation hypothesis.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic analysis of eight new Plasmodium reichenowi isolates from chimpanzees in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to reconstruct evolutionary history.

Main Results:

  • Plasmodium reichenowi is geographically widespread and genetically diverse in chimpanzees.
  • The genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum is contained within that of Plasmodium reichenowi.
  • Findings contradict the co-speciation hypothesis.

Conclusions:

  • All Plasmodium falciparum populations likely originated from Plasmodium reichenowi via a single host transfer event.
  • Genetic mutations, including CMAH gene inactivation in humans and EBA 175 receptor changes in P. falciparum, explain the host specificity and pathogenicity.