Excess polymorphisms in genes for membrane proteins in Plasmodium falciparum.

  • Journal Article
  • 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.
Journal:
Science (New York, N.Y.), Volume: 298, Issue: 5591
Published:
October 4, 2002
PMID:
12364807
Authors:
Sarah K Volkman SK, Daniel L Hartl DL, Dyann F Wirth DF, Kaare M Nielsen KM, Mehee Choi M, Serge Batalov S, Yingyao Zhou Y, David Plouffe D, Karine G Le Roch KG, Ruben Abagyan R, Elizabeth A Winzeler EA
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Abstract:

The detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in pathogenic microorganisms has normally been carried out by trial and error. Here we show that DNA hybridization with high-density oligonucleotide arrays provides rapid and convenient detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum, despite its exceptionally high adenine-thymine (AT) content (82%). A disproportionate number of polymorphisms are found in genes encoding proteins associated with the cell membrane. These genes are targets for only 22% of the oligonucleotide probes but account for 69% of the polymorphisms. Genetic variation is also enriched in subtelomeric regions, which account for 22% of the chromosome but 76% of the polymorphisms.

Courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine