PLASMODIUM-YOELII - DIFFERENCES IN THE TRANSCRIPTION OF THE 235-KDA RHOPTRY PROTEIN MULTIGENE FAMILY IN LETHAL AND NONLETHAL LINES

We have compared the transcription of the 235-kDa rhoptry protein (p23 5) multigene family in the lethal (YM) and nonlethal (17X) lines of th e rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii. This protein is thought t o be involved in erythrocyte invasion by the parasite. Using a PCR-bas ed approach we demonstrated that both lines have similar p235 families . However, RT-PCR analysis revealed that this similarity is not eviden t at the level of transcription, with the lethal line not transcribing a whole subset of its p235 gene repetoire. Specific anti-p235 immune pressure induces differences in invasion properties of the lethal line ; we were, however, unable to detect any changes in the transcription pattern of the p235 genes associated with this event. (C) 1998 Academi c Press.