Karyotype and synteny among the chromosomes of all four species of human malaria parasite

The karyotype and chromosomes of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falc iparum have been well characterized in recent years. Here we present karyot ype maps of the three other human malaria species, P. vivax, P. malariae an d P. ovale. Chromosomes of these species were found to be of significantly higher molecular weight than those of P. falciparum. Some 14 P. vivax chrom osomes were distinguishable, and 12-14 P. malariae and P. ovale chromosomes . The chromosome location of 15 genes, known to be present within five synt eny groups between P. falciparum and the rodent malarias, were analyzed, an d four of these synteny groups were found to be conserved between all of th e human malaria species. In addition, a more detailed genome map of P. viva x was made using ten housekeeping and antigen genes. These data represent t he first karyotype maps of all species of malaria which infect man. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.