Korean J Parasitol.  2007 Mar;45(1):59-63. 10.3347/kjp.2007.45.1.59.

Genetic diversity in merozoite surface protein (MSP)-1 and MSP-2 genes of Plasmodium falciparum in a major endemic region of Iran

• Heidari A
• Keshavarz
• Rokni MB
• Jelinek T

• KMID: 1088635
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2007.45.1.59

Abstract

Merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) and merozoite surface protein-2 (MSP-2) were used to develop vaccines and to investigate the genetic diversity in Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Iran. Nested polymerase chain reaction amplification was used to determine polymorphisms of block 2 of the MSP-1 and the central domain of MSP-2 genes. A total of 67 microscopically positive P. falciparum infected individuals from a major endemic region, southeast Iran, were included in this trial. Nine alleles of MSP-1 and 11 alleles of MSP-2 were identified. The results showed that amplified product from these surface antigen genes varied in size and there was specific pattern for each isolate. Besides, regarding this pattern, 23 multiple infections with at least 2 alleles were observed. While the endemic regions of malaria in Iran is classified in low to moderate group, but extensive polymorphism was observed for each marker and the MSP-2 central repeat was the most diverse that could be considered in designing malaria vaccine.

Keyword

Plasmodium falciparum; merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1); MSP-2; malaria; Iran

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Animals
Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics
Child
Child, Preschool
*Endemic Diseases
Female
Genetic Variation
Humans
Iran/epidemiology
Malaria, Falciparum/*epidemiology/*parasitology
Male
Merozoite Surface Protein 1/*genetics
Middle Aged
Plasmodium falciparum/*genetics/immunology/isolation & purification
Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
Polymorphism, Genetic
Protozoan Proteins/*genetics