RODENT MALARIA PARASITES - MOLECULAR KARYOTYPES CHARACTERIZE SPECIES,SUBSPECIES AND LINES

The molecular karyotypes of the African murine malaria parasites P. be rghei (3 strains, 2 lines) P. yoelii (2 strains) P. chabaudi (3 strain s, 1 line) and P. vinckei (4 strains) have been studied using orthogon al field alternation gel electrophoresis (OFAGE). The genome of each s pecies was resolved into 9 to 11 distinct chromosomal DNA bands molecu les of varying intensities which seem to represent 14 chromosomes rang ing in size from 600 kb to 3 500 kb. The position of certain chromosom es allowed the identification of a unique karyotype for each of the st rains and lines under study. P. yoelii appears by criteria of chromoso me size, chromosome numbers and localisation of DNA probes to differ c onsiderably from the other three rodent malaria species. The chromosom al location of 5 DNA probes allowed the identification of correspondin g chromosomes in rodent malaria parasites and the differentiation betw een species and strains. Assignment of the ''PMMSA'' gene of P. c. cha baudi IP-PC1 enables the distinction of the four rodent malaria specie s. The molecular karyotype combined to chromosomal assignment of DNA p robes provides a useful tool for a more precise characterization by a genetic definition of malaria parasites.