Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Generating Genetically Modified Plasmodium berghei Sporozoites
10:16

Generating Genetically Modified Plasmodium berghei Sporozoites

Published on: May 5, 2023

1.4K

Repurposing of Plasmodium falciparum var genes beyond the blood stage

Eliana Real1, Flore Nardella1, Artur Scherf1

  • 1Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Unité de Biologie des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, F-75015 Paris, France.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|October 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Malaria parasites like Plasmodium falciparum use variant surface antigens for immune evasion. New research shows these parasite genes are active beyond blood stages, aiding transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Protozoan parasites employ sequential expression of variant surface antigens for immune evasion.
  • In Plasmodium falciparum, the erythrocyte-membrane protein-1 (PfEMP1) family, encoded by var genes, mediates antigenic variation and cytoadherence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of var gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum beyond the intraerythrocytic stage.
  • To discuss the potential repurposing of var gene expression for parasite transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent technological advancements enabling the study of var gene expression.
  • Analysis of existing literature on var gene function across different parasite life stages.

Main Results:

  • Var gene expression has been confirmed in parasite transmission and pre-erythrocytic stages.
  • The function of var genes is not limited to the chronic blood-stage infection.

Conclusions:

  • Repurposing of var gene expression outside of blood stages is crucial for Plasmodium falciparum transmission.
  • Understanding these extended functions offers new avenues for malaria control strategies.

More Related Videos

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing to Make Conditional Mutants of Human Malaria Parasite P. falciparum09:25

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing to Make Conditional Mutants of Human Malaria Parasite P. falciparum

Published on: September 18, 2018

10.1K
Author Spotlight: Identifying Compensatory Pathways in Malaria Parasites Containing Hypomorphic Allele of Essential Protein Kinases09:13

Author Spotlight: Identifying Compensatory Pathways in Malaria Parasites Containing Hypomorphic Allele of Essential Protein Kinases

Published on: November 22, 2024

1.5K

Related Concept Videos

Symbiosis00:58

Symbiosis

Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
29.9K