Plasmodium yoelii: Identification of a gene encoding a putative ADP-ribosylation factor-1 GTPase-activating protein, PyAG1

The PyAG1 gene, identified by the screening of a Plasmodium yoelii genomic DNA library with a rhoptry-specific Mab, encodes a protein with a zinc fing er structure immediately followed by the consensus sequence of the Arf GAP catalytic site. The serum of mice immunized with the recombinant protein re cognized specifically the rhoptries of the late infected erythrocytic stage s. Blast analysis using the Genbank database gave the highest scores with f our proteins presenting an Arf1 GAP activity. If presenting also this activ ity the PyAG1 protein could be involved in the regulation of the secreted p rotein vesicular transport and, consequently in the rhoptry biogenesis.