Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
13:06
Analysis of Single-cell Gene Transcription by RNA Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
Published on: October 7, 2012
Sense-Antisense RNA duplexes mediate stress-responsive translational control in Plasmodium falciparum
Rashim Malhotra1, Kushankur Pandit1, Pawan Malhotra2
1Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune.
RNA (New York, N.Y.)
|August 10, 2026
Summary
Antisense RNAs in Plasmodium falciparum regulate gene expression during stress. This study reveals a novel RNA-ribosome axis controlling translation for parasite adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitology
- Genetics
Background:
- Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria and adapts to stress via gene expression.
- Antisense long noncoding RNAs regulate parasite biology but are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the prevalence, origin, and function of antisense transcription in P. falciparum.
- Elucidate the role of antisense RNAs in parasite stress adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptomic analysis
- RNA-RNA duplex profiling
- Ribosome sequencing
- Proteomic analysis
- Functional analysis of chromatin regulators (PfGCN5, PfHDAC1)
Main Results:
- Antisense transcription is widespread, regulated, and induced by environmental stress.
- Stress remodels antisense transcription at virulence and stress adaptation loci, forming sense-antisense RNA duplexes.
- Sense-antisense duplexes stabilize mRNA but suppress translation, reducing protein levels.
- An antisense RNA-ribosome regulatory axis couples RNA duplex formation to translational control.
Conclusions:
- Antisense transcription is a key regulatory mechanism in P. falciparum.
- This mechanism provides a novel pathway for post-transcriptional gene regulation and stress adaptation in the malaria parasite.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Types of RNA
Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
01:23RNA Interference
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
02:28Leaky Scanning
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
01:20Types of RNA
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
RNA Performs Diverse...
01:29Translational Regulation
Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...