Core promoters are predicted by their distinct physicochemical properties in the genome of Plasmodium falciparum
2008

Identifying Core Promoters in Malaria Parasite Genome

Sample size: 3546 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Kevin Brick, Junichi Watanabe, Elisabetta Pizzi

Primary Institution: Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

Hypothesis

Core promoters in the Plasmodium falciparum genome can be identified using DNA physicochemical properties.

Conclusion

The study successfully developed a method to identify core promoters in the Plasmodium falciparum genome, demonstrating the importance of physicochemical properties in promoter recognition.

Supporting Evidence

  • The method identified core promoters with high spatial accuracy.
  • MAPP predictions provide insights into core promoter organization in Plasmodium falciparum.
  • The study adds to evidence that physicochemical properties are crucial for promoter recognition.

Takeaway

Scientists created a computer program to find important parts of the malaria parasite's DNA that help start making proteins.

Methodology

The study used DNA physicochemical properties to construct profiles around transcription start sites and developed a predictor using support vector machines.

Potential Biases

The training set may not reflect the true ratio of core promoters to other sequences in the genome.

Limitations

The study's evaluation may over-count false positives due to incomplete representation of TSSs in the dataset.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 10^-100

Statistical Significance

p < 10^-100

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/gb-2008-9-12-r178

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication