Gene discovery in Plasmodium chabaudi by genome survey sequencing

The first genome survey sequencing of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodiu m chabaudi is presented here. In 766 sequences, 131 putative gene sequences have been identified by sequence similarity database searches. Further. 7 potential gene families, four of which have not previously been described, were discovered. These genes may be important in understanding the biology of malaria, as well as offering potential new drug targets. We have also id entified a number of candidate minisatellite sequences that could be helpfu l in genetic studies. Genome survey sequencing in P. chabaudi is a producti ve strategy in further developing this in vivo model of malaria, in the con text of the malaria genome projects. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.