Genome sequence of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Nature. 2002 Oct 3;419(6906):498-511. doi: 10.1038/nature01097.

Abstract

The parasite Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for hundreds of millions of cases of malaria, and kills more than one million African children annually. Here we report an analysis of the genome sequence of P. falciparum clone 3D7. The 23-megabase nuclear genome consists of 14 chromosomes, encodes about 5,300 genes, and is the most (A + T)-rich genome sequenced to date. Genes involved in antigenic variation are concentrated in the subtelomeric regions of the chromosomes. Compared to the genomes of free-living eukaryotic microbes, the genome of this intracellular parasite encodes fewer enzymes and transporters, but a large proportion of genes are devoted to immune evasion and host-parasite interactions. Many nuclear-encoded proteins are targeted to the apicoplast, an organelle involved in fatty-acid and isoprenoid metabolism. The genome sequence provides the foundation for future studies of this organism, and is being exploited in the search for new drugs and vaccines to fight malaria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosome Structures
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA, Protozoan / biosynthesis
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genome, Protozoan*
  • Humans
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / prevention & control
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism
  • Plastids / genetics
  • Proteome
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Protozoan Proteins / physiology
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Proteome
  • Protozoan Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AE014185
  • GENBANK/AE014186
  • GENBANK/AE014187
  • GENBANK/AE014188
  • GENBANK/AL844501
  • GENBANK/AL844502
  • GENBANK/AL844503
  • GENBANK/AL844504
  • GENBANK/AL844505
  • GENBANK/AL844506
  • GENBANK/AL844507
  • GENBANK/AL844508
  • GENBANK/AL844509