Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes.

Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes. Research Abstract Details 

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Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes. Abstract Text:

Thanat Chookajorn,Ron Dzikowski,Matthias Frank,Felomena Li,Alisha Z Jiwani,Daniel L Hartl,Kirk W Deitsch,

During its red blood cell stage, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can switch its variant surface proteins (P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1) to evade the host immune response. The var gene family encodes P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1, different versions of which have unique binding specificities to various human endothelial surface molecules. Individual parasites each contain approximately 60 var genes at various locations within their chromosomes; however, parasite isolates contain different complements of var genes, thus, the gene family is enormous with a virtually unlimited number of members. A single var gene is expressed by each parasite in a mutually exclusive manner. We report that control of var gene transcription and antigenic variation is associated with a chromatin memory that includes methylation of histone H3 at lysine K9 as an epigenetic mark. We also discuss how gene transcription memory may affect the mechanism of pathogenesis and immune evasion.

Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes. Publishing Authors By Initials

T Chookajorn,R Dzikowski,M Frank,F Li,AZ Jiwani,DL Hartl,KW Deitsch,

For similar biological phenomena, cell phenomena, and immunity: biological phenomena: microbiologic phenomena: virulence research abstracts see: biological phenomena, cell phenomena, and immunity: biological phenomena: microbiologic phenomena: virulence research

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Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes. Journal Published:

PUBLICATION TYPE: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of

VOLUME: 104

Page Numbers: 899-902

Journal Abbreviation: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

ISSN: 0027-8424

DAY: 5

MONTH: 01

YEAR: 2007

Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes. Information

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LANGUAGE: eng

NlmUniqueID: 7505876

Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes. Keywords Mesh Terms:

KEYWORDS: Virulence

MESH TERMS: genetics

Chemical & Substance for Abstract: Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes. Information

Substance Name: Histones

Registry Number: 0

Grant and Affiliation Information for Epigenetic memory at malaria virulence genes.

AFFILIATION: Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. chookaj@fas.harvard.edu

Country: United States

AGENCY: United States NIAID

GRANT: AI 52390

ACRONYM: AI

MEDLINETA: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

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