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Maternal inheritance of extrachromosomal DNA in malaria parasites

A Creasey1, K Mendis, J Carlton

  • 1Division of Biological Sciences, I.C.A.P.B., University of Edinburgh, UK.

Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
|May 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Malaria parasites possess extrachromosomal DNA, including mitochondrial DNA. This study reveals that both mitochondrial and other extrachromosomal DNA elements in Plasmodium parasites are maternally inherited.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria parasite, has two known extrachromosomal genomes: a mitochondrial 6-kb DNA element and a 35-kb circular DNA.
  • The mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, located on the 6-kb element, is known to be uniparentally inherited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if the extrachromosomal DNA in malaria parasites is transmitted maternally or paternally.
  • To investigate the inheritance route of extrachromosomal DNA in the closely related Plasmodium gallinaceum.

Main Methods:

  • Purified male and female gametes of Plasmodium gallinaceum were prepared.
  • Extrachromosomal DNA from gamete preparations was hybridized using probes for both the 6-kb and 35-kb extrachromosomal genomes.

Main Results:

  • Extrachromosomal DNA probes hybridized to preparations of female gametes.
  • No hybridization was observed with preparations of male gametes, indicating the absence of extrachromosomal DNA in male gametes.

Conclusions:

  • The extrachromosomal DNAs of malaria parasites, including mitochondrial DNA, are transmitted maternally.
  • This finding clarifies the inheritance pattern of key genetic elements in Plasmodium species.

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