Characterization and gene expression analysis of the cir multi-gene family of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi (AS)
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Jennifer Lawton Thibaut Brugat Xue Yan Yam Adam Reid Ulrike Boehme Thomas Otto Arnab Pain Andrew Jackson Matthew Berriman Deirdre Cunningham Peter Preiser Jean LanghorneAbstract
The pir genes comprise the largest multi-gene family in Plasmodium, with members found in P. vivax, P. knowlesi and the rodent malaria species. Despite comprising up to 5% of the genome, little is known about the functions of the proteins encoded by pir genes. P. chabaudi causes chronic infection in mice, which may be due to antigenic variation. In this model, pir genes are called cirs and may be involved in this mechanism, allowing evasion of host immune responses. In order to fully understand the role(s) of CIR proteins during P. chabaudi infection, a detailed characterization of the cir gene family was required.
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Publisher website (DOI) 10.1186/1471-2164-13-125
Europe PubMed Central 22458863
Pubmed 22458863
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