SURFIN4.1, a schizont-merozoite associated protein in the SURFIN family of Plasmodium falciparum
2008
SURFIN4.1: A New Protein in Malaria Parasites
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Mphande Fingani A, Ribacke Ulf, Kaneko Osamu, Kironde Fred, Winter Gerhard, Wahlgren Mats
Primary Institution: Karolinska Institutet
Hypothesis
Is SURFIN4.1 a complete functional gene or a pseudogene?
Conclusion
SURFIN4.1 is a complete gene that encodes a protein present in the parasitophorous vacuole and associated with released merozoites.
Supporting Evidence
- SURFIN4.1 is encoded by the surf4.1 gene, which is confirmed to be a complete gene with three exons.
- The protein SURFIN4.1 is approximately 258 kDa and is localized in the parasitophorous vacuole.
- SURFIN4.1 is expressed during the late stages of the parasite life cycle, peaking at late schizogony.
- Different strains of the parasite show varying copy numbers of the surf4.1 gene.
Takeaway
SURFIN4.1 is a protein found in malaria parasites that helps them survive in the human body, and it is located inside the parasite rather than on its surface.
Methodology
The study used bioinformatics, PCR, real-time quantitative PCR, Northern and Western blots, and immunofluorescence assays to analyze the surf4.1 gene and protein.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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