New PCR assays to measure expression of plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding proteins
Issued Date
2014
Resource Type
Language
eng
Rights
Mahidol University
Suggested Citation
Hietanen, Jenni, Wanlapa Roobsoog, วัลลภา รูปสูง, Wang Nguitragool (2014). New PCR assays to measure expression of plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding proteins. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/63146
Title
New PCR assays to measure expression of plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding proteins
Abstract
Invasion of red blood cells is a crucial step in malaria infection. Different malaria
parasites have different preference for host cells. Plasmodium falciparum
infects both reticulocytes and fully mature erythrocytes; Plasmodium vivax
only infects reticulocytes. This difference is explained by the different ligand-receptor
interactions used by these parasites. Two invasion ligand families have been implicated
in host cell sensing during invasion: I. the Erythrocyte Binding Antigens (EBA) and II.
the Reticulocyte Binding Proteins (RBP). The latter are believed to mediate specific
binding of P. vivax merozoites to reticulocytes.
Protective immunity for malaria has been linked to the presence of antibodies against
parasite invasion ligands. These proteins thus represent prime targets for vaccine
development. While extensive studies have been performed on P. falciparum proteins
and P. vivax Duffy Binding protein, a member of the EBA family, little has been done
on P. vivax RBPs which comprise the vast majority of invasion ligands of this parasite.
In this study, we aim to use quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure
the expression of the 9 different RBPs identified in the reference genome of P. vivax.
The repertoire of RBP expression across different parasite isolates will provide
valuable insights into P. vivax invasion and vaccine development. Here, we report our
qPCR assays which have been optimized for robust quantification of RBP transcripts
as well as the transcripts of house-keeping and schizont-specific genes. Preliminary
measurements of a few clinical isolates are presented.
Description
Joint International Tropical Medicine Meeting 2014: 3D perspectives on tropical medicine: drivers, diversity and determination the 8th seminar on food-and water-borne parasitic zoonoses: 2-4 December 2014: Centara Grand Bangkok Convention Center at Central World, Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok: Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; 2014. p. 221.