Our long-range objective is to study the regulation of gene expression in human malarial parasites at the level of RNA processing and transcriptional control. As a first step, we are developing methods for the amplification and isolation of specific malarial cDNA ends, using the polymerase chain reaction technique. The fact that plasmodial ribosomes are stage-specific suggests that transcripts from the sexual and asexual stages of the parasite's lifecycle may differ in significant ways. Our preliminary data suggests that the 3' ends of transcripts coding for the circumsporozoite (CS) gene of the murine malaria P. berghei may be processed differently in sporozoites and blood stage parasites. Our intention is to extend this analysis to tbe CS genes of the human malarias P. falciparum and P. vivax. To determine whether alternative processing is a peculiarity of tbe CS gene or a general stage-specific mechanism, we will also examine the transcripts of three or more genes of P. falciparum and P. vivax that code for household enzymes or structural proteins expressed in all stages. Malarial cDNA's generated from sporozoite and blood stage RNA samples will be analyzed for 5' leader sequences, internal splicing patterns, polyadenylation sites, trans-splicing and RNA editing.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI030066-01A1
Application #
3145147
Study Section
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section (TMP)
Project Start
1991-03-01
Project End
1994-02-28
Budget Start
1991-03-01
Budget End
1992-02-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10012