Studies on the mode of transcription and expression of surf genes from Plasmodium falciparum.

Author(s)

Tatiane Macedo Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2015-05-06

Examining board members

Gerhard Wunderlich; Mauro Ferreira de Azevedo; Marcos Leoni Gazarini Dutra

• Advisor: Gerhard Wunderlich

Abstract

One smaller family of antigen variant of P. falciparum whose function is still unknown is surf genes. Some members appear in asexual blood stage forms and may be associated also to virulence associated processes. We accessed the transcription of the members of the surf gene family along multiple invasions by real time PCR. Based on the observation of constitutive expression of one surf gene, surf4.1, we created a parasite line which expresses a GFP, conditionally destabilized SURFIN4.1 protein. Upon destabilization of the protein, no differential growth rates were observed. However, when we monitored the transcription of SURFIN4.1 knocked-down parasites compared to their stabilized counterparts, we observed a strong increase in the transcript quantities of surf4.1 and also three other surf genes, pointing to a feedback of the SURFIN protein quantity to either the stability of surf transcripts or the transcriptional activity of surf loci. This type of potential regulation is yet unheard in Plasmodium biology. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/12439-7 - Studies on the mode of transcription and expression of surf genes from Plasmodium falciparum
• Grantee: Tatiane Macedo Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master