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Malaria Journal
Published in: Malaria Journal 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Genetic diversity of the merozoite surface protein-3 gene in Plasmodium falciparum populations in Thailand

Authors: Sittiporn Pattaradilokrat, Vorthon Sawaswong, Phumin Simpalipan, Morakot Kaewthamasorn, Napaporn Siripoon, Pongchai Harnyuttanakorn

Published in: Malaria Journal | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

An effective malaria vaccine is an urgently needed tool to fight against human malaria, the most deadly parasitic disease of humans. One promising candidate is the merozoite surface protein-3 (MSP-3) of Plasmodium falciparum. This antigenic protein, encoded by the merozoite surface protein (msp-3) gene, is polymorphic and classified according to size into the two allelic types of K1 and 3D7. A recent study revealed that both the K1 and 3D7 alleles co-circulated within P. falciparum populations in Thailand, but the extent of the sequence diversity and variation within each allelic type remains largely unknown.

Methods

The msp-3 gene was sequenced from 59 P. falciparum samples collected from five endemic areas (Mae Hong Son, Kanchanaburi, Ranong, Trat and Ubon Ratchathani) in Thailand and analysed for nucleotide sequence diversity, haplotype diversity and deduced amino acid sequence diversity. The gene was also subject to population genetic analysis (F st ) and neutrality tests (Tajima’s D, Fu and Li D* and Fu and Li’ F* tests) to determine any signature of selection.

Results

The sequence analyses revealed eight unique DNA haplotypes and seven amino acid sequence variants, with a haplotype and nucleotide diversity of 0.828 and 0.049, respectively. Neutrality tests indicated that the polymorphism detected in the alanine heptad repeat region of MSP-3 was maintained by positive diversifying selection, suggesting its role as a potential target of protective immune responses and supporting its role as a vaccine candidate. Comparison of MSP-3 variants among parasite populations in Thailand, India and Nigeria also inferred a close genetic relationship between P. falciparum populations in Asia.

Conclusion

This study revealed the extent of the msp-3 gene diversity in P. falciparum in Thailand, providing the fundamental basis for the better design of future blood stage malaria vaccines against P. falciparum.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Genetic diversity of the merozoite surface protein-3 gene in Plasmodium falciparum populations in Thailand
Authors
Sittiporn Pattaradilokrat
Vorthon Sawaswong
Phumin Simpalipan
Morakot Kaewthamasorn
Napaporn Siripoon
Pongchai Harnyuttanakorn
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Malaria Journal / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2875
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-016-1566-1

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