Thanat ChookajornPatrath PonsuwannaLiwang CuiMahidol UniversityPennsylvania State University2018-07-122018-07-122008-10-01Trends in Parasitology. Vol.24, No.10 (2008), 455-461147149222-s2.0-51449122039https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/19289As a major factor in Plasmodium falciparum malaria pathogenesis, the var gene family has been the focus of extensive research, which has contributed to our current understanding of Plasmodium antigenic variation. In recent years, sophisticated molecular tools have enabled the generation of interesting data regarding the regulation of mutually exclusive var expression. Although their results are still inconclusive, these studies have demonstrated the existence of multiple layers of control over gene activation, silencing, memory and 'counting'. This review attempts to summarize recent findings and dissect the different layers of var regulation. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Mahidol UniversityImmunology and MicrobiologyMedicineReviewSCOPUS10.1016/j.pt.2008.07.005