Abstract
Immune evasion by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is mediated by the mutually exclusive expression of a single member of the var family of genes, which encode variant surface antigens. In a recent paper in Nature, demonstrate that a construct carrying a transcriptionally active var promoter is sufficient to promote allelic exclusion of the parasite's endogenous var gene.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigenic Variation / genetics*
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Antigens, Protozoan / genetics*
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Antigens, Protozoan / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Malaria, Falciparum / genetics*
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Models, Biological
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Mutation
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Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
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Promoter Regions, Genetic / physiology*
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Protozoan Proteins / chemistry
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Protozoan Proteins / genetics*
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Transcriptional Activation
Substances
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Antigens, Protozoan
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Protozoan Proteins