Dynamic Activation and Repression of the Plasmodium falciparum rif Gene Family and Their Relation to Chromatin Modification

摘要: The regulation of variant gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum is still only partially understood. Regulation var genes, the most studied family involved antigenic variation, orchestrated by a dynamic pattern inherited chromatin states. Although recent evidence pointed to epigenetic transcribed and repressed rif loci, little known about specific on/off associated histone modifications individual genes. To investigate marks for we cultivated parasites evaluated transcriptional status chosen targets qRT-PCR performed ChIP assays using H3K9ac H3K9me3 antibodies. We then monitored changes patterns after several reinvasions also “poised” mark trophozoites schizonts same erythrocytic cycle H3K4me2 Our results show that H3K9 acetylated loci trimethylated or even unmodified loci. These states are reinvasions. poised modification showed tendency be more present upon progression strongly transcribe respective locus. However, this effect was not consistently observed all While our data important similarities transcription-associated modifications, swiftly occurring at absence point different recruitment modifying enzymes.