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The pir multigene family of Plasmodium: antigenic variation and beyond

Deirdre Cunningham1, Jennifer Lawton, William Jarra

  • 1Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom.

Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
|January 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The Plasmodium interspersed repeat (pir) gene family is crucial in malaria parasites, potentially aiding immune evasion. Studying these genes in rodent models may reveal new vaccine targets for human malaria.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Parasitology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Multigene families, including the Plasmodium interspersed repeat (pir) gene family, are located in telomeric and sub-telomeric regions of Plasmodium chromosomes.
  • The pir gene family is conserved across Plasmodium vivax, simian, and rodent malaria species, exhibiting a conserved gene structure with variations in exon lengths and a transmembrane domain.
  • While pir genes are transcribed differently across life cycle stages, suggesting diverse functions, a direct link between specific sub-families and transcription patterns remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the Plasmodium interspersed repeat (pir) gene family in malaria parasites.
  • To explore the potential roles of pir genes in host-parasite interactions, including immune evasion and antigenic variation.
  • To assess the utility of rodent models for studying pir gene functions in vivo and their implications for human Plasmodium vivax infections.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of pir gene structures across different Plasmodium species.
  • Examination of pir gene transcription patterns during various parasite life cycle stages.
  • Investigating the expression of pir gene products on the surface of infected erythrocytes.

Main Results:

  • The Plasmodium interspersed repeat (pir) gene family is the largest identified in malaria parasites and is shared across several species.
  • Pir genes possess a conserved structure, including a transmembrane domain, and can be categorized into sub-families.
  • Some pir gene products are expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes, suggesting roles in immune response modulation and antigenic variation.

Conclusions:

  • Pir genes are implicated in Plasmodium's interaction with the host immune system, potentially mediating immune evasion and antigenic variation.
  • Further research into pir genes, particularly using in vivo rodent models, is warranted to understand their functions and explore their potential as targets for vaccines and other interventions against human malaria.

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