Codon usage in Plasmodium vivax nuclear genes

Codon usage in Plasmodium vivax nuclear genes was analysed and compared wit h that in Plasmodium falciparum nuclear genes. Preferred codons were determ ined for P. vivax. Unlike P. falciparum, P. vivax genes are about 15% less A + T rich in the coding regions, with no obvious AST bias at the third pos ition of the codons. The amino-acid composition of P. vivax gene products i s also different from that of P. falciparum. These results provide valuable information to facilitate gene cloning as well as expression and transfect ion studies for P. vivax. (C) 1999 Australian Society for Parasitology. Pub lished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.