Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Extrachromosomal DNA in the Apicomplexa

R J Wilson1, D H Williamson

  • 1National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom. r-wilson@nimr.mrc.ac.uk

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR
|March 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum possesses small, gene-rich plastid and mitochondrial genomes. These organellar genomes offer insights into apicomplexan evolution and genetic expression.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Ageing of juvenile coral grouper (<i>Plectropomus maculatus</i>) reveals year-round spawning and recruitment: implications for seasonal closures.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2023
Same author

Allele-specific suppression of a cell cycle mutant of S. cerevisiae.

Current genetics·2013
Same author

Critical research needs for managing coral reef marine protected areas: perspectives of academics and managers.

Journal of environmental management·2012
Same author

Transgenerational marking of marine fish larvae: stable-isotope retention, physiological effects and health issues.

Journal of fish biology·2010
Same author

Products of mitochondrial protein synthesis in yeast.

Nature: New biology·2010
Same author

Alanine metabolism in acute falciparum malaria.

Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH·2002

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Malaria parasites (Plasmodium) and other apicomplexans have conserved plastid and mitochondrial genomes.
  • The Plasmodium falciparum organellar genomes are compact and gene-dense.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the organization of Plasmodium falciparum's plastid (plDNA) and mitochondrial (mtDNA) genomes.
  • To investigate the evolutionary origins and functions of these organellar DNAs.

Main Methods:

  • DNA sequencing and analysis of Plasmodium falciparum organellar genomes.
  • Comparative genomics to understand evolutionary relationships.

Main Results:

  • The 35-kb circular plDNA is the smallest known functional plastid genome, with most genes involved in genetic expression.
  • The 6-kb mtDNA is the smallest known, encoding three proteins and two fragmented rRNAs.
  • The mtDNA exhibits a phage-like replication and extensive recombination.

Conclusions:

  • Plasmodium falciparum's organellar genomes provide insights into apicomplexan molecular biology and evolution.
  • The plDNA's genes suggest a role in genetic expression, with potential eubacterial or algal origins.
  • The mtDNA's unique structure and replication mechanism offer new information on apicomplexan biochemistry.

Related Experiment Videos