Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Analysis of Single-cell Gene Transcription by RNA Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization FISH
13:06

Analysis of Single-cell Gene Transcription by RNA Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization FISH

Published on: October 7, 2012

15.6K

Ectopic Expression of Plasmodium vivax vir Genes in P. falciparum Affects Cytoadhesion via Increased Expression of

Torben Rehn1, Pedro Lubiana1, Thi Huyen Trang Nguyen1

  • 1Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.

Microorganisms
|June 24, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Plasmodium vivax VIR proteins do not directly mediate cytoadhesion in Plasmodium falciparum transfectants. Instead, VIR protein expression induced Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding via PfEMP1 proteins, confounding direct VIR protein function studies.

Area of Science:

  • Malariology
  • Molecular Parasitology
  • Cellular Adhesion

Background:

  • Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (PfIEs) adhere to endothelial cell receptors (ECRs) via PfEMP1 proteins, aiding immune evasion.
  • Evidence suggests Plasmodium vivax-infected reticulocytes (PvIRs) also bind ECRs, potentially mediated by VIR proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct involvement of VIR proteins in cytoadhesion using transgenic P. falciparum expressing vir genes.
  • To characterize the localization and function of VIR proteins in infected erythrocyte adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of P. falciparum transfectants expressing P. vivax vir genes.
  • Analysis of VIR protein localization within infected erythrocytes (Maurer's clefts, erythrocyte membrane).
  • Assessment of binding to endothelial cell receptors (CD36) by transfectants.

Main Results:

  • VIR proteins with transmembrane domains localized to Maurer's clefts and erythrocyte membranes.
  • One transgenic line expressing a non-transmembrane VIR protein (PVX_050690) showed CD36 binding.
  • All CD36-binding transfectants exhibited increased expression of var genes encoding PfEMP1s.
  • Ectopic vir expression appeared to regulate var gene expression, a mechanism yet to be elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • Cytoadhesion observed in P. falciparum expressing vir genes was dependent on PfEMP1, not directly mediated by VIR proteins.
  • The experimental system was unsuitable for characterizing the direct role of VIR proteins in cytoadhesion.
  • Further studies are needed to understand the indirect effect of VIR proteins on var gene expression and cytoadhesion.
Keywords:
PfEMP1Plasmodium falciparumPlasmodium vivaxVIRcytoadhesionendothelial cell receptor

More Related Videos

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum10:22

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

Published on: December 4, 2015

9.0K
Protocol for Plasmodium falciparum Infections in Mosquitoes and Infection Phenotype Determination14:10

Protocol for Plasmodium falciparum Infections in Mosquitoes and Infection Phenotype Determination

Published on: July 4, 2007

18.0K

Related Concept Videos

Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
123
Position-effect Variegation02:32

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
6.5K