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A var gene promoter controls allelic exclusion of virulence genes in Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Author

Listed:
  • Till S. Voss

    (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)

  • Julie Healer

    (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)

  • Allison J. Marty

    (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
    Monash University)

  • Michael F. Duffy

    (The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital)

  • Jennifer K. Thompson

    (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)

  • James G. Beeson

    (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)

  • John C. Reeder

    (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research)

  • Brendan S. Crabb

    (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)

  • Alan F. Cowman

    (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)

Abstract

Variations on a theme The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum invades red blood cells and deposits the virulence factor PfEMP1 on their cell surface. This is the key to the parasite's ability to evade the immune system, since PfEMP1 is encoded by a family of 60 var genes, only one of which is transcribed at any one time. How Plasmodium brings about this antigenic variation is not clear. Voss et al. show that one active var promoter is sufficient to initiate the transcription of one gene while shutting off the others. This is explained by the existence of a unique, peri-nuclear compartment that aids in the transcription of a single var gene; switching var transcription, and thus changing PfEMP1 identity, would occur by competition of a silenced var promoter for occupancy of this space.

Suggested Citation

  • Till S. Voss & Julie Healer & Allison J. Marty & Michael F. Duffy & Jennifer K. Thompson & James G. Beeson & John C. Reeder & Brendan S. Crabb & Alan F. Cowman, 2006. "A var gene promoter controls allelic exclusion of virulence genes in Plasmodium falciparum malaria," Nature, Nature, vol. 439(7079), pages 1004-1008, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:439:y:2006:i:7079:d:10.1038_nature04407
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04407
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