Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 in field isolates from central Myanmar

Abstract

<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (<i>Pf</i>EMP1), encoded by the polymorphic <i>var</i> multigene family, is a highly polymorphic antigen that plays a crucial role in the pathology of malaria. The contribution of the genetic diversity of <i>var</i> toward the immune escape of <i>P. falciparum</i> has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of <i>var</i> repertoires by screening <i>P. falciparum</i> Duffy-binding-like α domain (PfDBLα) among field isolates from central Myanmar. Genetic analysis revealed that the D-H segments of <i>var</i> in Myanmar populations have an extensive polymorphic repertoire, with high numbers of unique sequence types in each individual. However, <i>var</i> genes from the global population, including Myanmar, shared close genetic lineages regardless of their geographic origins, indicating that they have not undergone rapid evolutionary changes.

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 in field isolates: Correspondence

“…Dear Editor, we would like to share ideas on the publication "Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 in field isolates from central Myanmar [1]. " By examining field isolates from central Myanmar for the P. falciparum Duffy-binding-like domain (PfDBL), Dinzouna-Boutamba et al sought to describe the diversity of var repertoires.…”

“…Dear Editor, we would like to share ideas on the publication “Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 in field isolates from central Myanmar [ 1 ].” By examining field isolates from central Myanmar for the P. falciparum Duffy-binding-like domain (PfDBL), Dinzouna-Boutamba et al sought to describe the diversity of var repertoires. Their genetic research indicated that the D-H segments of the var in Myanmar populations contain a wide variety of polymorphic repertoires, with many distinct sequence types in each individual [ 1 ]. The anthors found that independent of regional origins, var genes from the worldwide population, including Myanmar, shared close genetic lineages, suggesting that they had not experienced fast evolutionary changes [ 1 ].…”

“…Their genetic research indicated that the D-H segments of the var in Myanmar populations contain a wide variety of polymorphic repertoires, with many distinct sequence types in each individual [ 1 ]. The anthors found that independent of regional origins, var genes from the worldwide population, including Myanmar, shared close genetic lineages, suggesting that they had not experienced fast evolutionary changes [ 1 ].…”

“…We appreciate Drs. Kleebayoon and Wiwanitkit for their interests and comments on our recent publication [ 1 ].…”

“…The travel history has been checked with questionnaires prior to sample collection. To determine the difference of genetic variant patterns between Myanmar and nearby country populations such as Thailand, the var sequences of Thailand populations obtained from GenBank have been added for phylogenetic analysis, in which no specific relationship has found between 2 populations [ 1 ]. However, we have not considered the local ethnic diversity of patients for evaluation of the genetic polymorphism of var genes, because var gene is the gene of Plasmodium falciparum parasite, but not of humans.…”