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Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum
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Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

Published on: December 4, 2015

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Plasmodium falciparum complicated malaria: Modulation and connectivity between exportome and variant surface antigen

Amit Kumar Subudhi1, P A Boopathi1, Isha Pandey1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, Rajasthan, India.

Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
|May 30, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals distinct Plasmodium falciparum gene expression in adults with complicated malaria, unlike in children. Understanding these differences in variant surface antigens is key for developing effective malaria prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Malariology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Complicated malaria, particularly hepatic and renal dysfunction, affects all age groups in Asia and Latin America.
  • Research on the molecular basis of severe malaria predominantly focuses on pediatric cases, leaving adult pathophysiology less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze gene expression profiles in adult malaria patients with hepatic or renal dysfunction.
  • To compare these profiles with uncomplicated malaria cases and pediatric cerebral malaria findings.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a custom, cross-strain microarray (Agilent Platform) on adult patient samples.
  • Analyzed gene expression data focusing on variant surface antigens (VSA) encoded by var, rifin, and stevor gene families.
  • Performed gene ontology and systems network-based functional enrichment analysis.

Main Results:

  • Identified differential regulation of key genes, including up-regulation of var group B and C genes (interacting with CD36) and domain cassette 13 (DC13) containing var group A.
  • Observed up-regulation of group A rifins and several stevors.
  • Found significant enrichment of up-regulated genes in energy metabolism, chromosome organization, and electron transport chain.

Conclusions:

  • Adult complicated malaria exhibits unique VSA gene expression patterns compared to pediatric cerebral malaria.
  • Up-regulation of specific var gene groups (B and C) and other VSAs suggests distinct pathogenic mechanisms in adults.
  • These findings are crucial for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies for adult malaria.

Keywords:
Complicated malariaExportomePfEMP1Plasmodium falciparumRifinStevorVariant surface antigens

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