The Plasmodium knowlesi Pk41 surface protein diversity, natural selection, sub population and geographical clustering: a 6-cysteine protein family member

摘要: Introduction The zoonotic malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi has currently become the most dominant form of infection in humans Malaysia and is an emerging infectious disease Southeast Asian countries. P41 a merozoite surface protein belonging to 6-cysteine family well-characterized vaccine candidate P. vivax falciparum; however, no study been done orthologous gene knowlesi. This investigates level polymorphism, haplotypes natural selection pk41 genes clinical isolates from Malaysia. Method Thirty-five full-length sequences along with four laboratory lines (along H-strain) were downloaded public databases. For comparative analysis between species, falciparum, vivax, coatneyi cynomolgi also downloaded. Genetic diversity, haplotype determined using DnaSP 5.10 software. Phylogenetic relationships Pk41 MEGA 5.0 Results Analysis 39 H-strain identified 36 SNPs (20 non-synonymous 16 synonymous substitutions) resulting 31 haplotypes. Nucleotide diversity across was low similar its ortholog vivax; pv41. Domain-wise amino acid two s48/45 domains indicated polymorphisms for both domains, glutamic rich region had extensive size variations. In central domain, upstream glutamate region, unique six (K-E)n repeat within isolates. Overall, indicative negative/purifying due functional constraints. purifying selection. However, Tajima's D domain II high positive values indicating possible epitope binding regions. All residues conserved conservation these geographical clustering three subpopulations knowlesi; one originating Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Conclusion first report on polymorphism results reveal that there this antigen could be potential target. genetic molecular immunology studies involving higher number samples various parts would necessary validate antigen's candidacy as target