Genetic Diversity of Variable Region Block 2 in the Merozoite Surface Protein-1 (MSP1) in Plasmodium falciparum Field Isolates from South-East of Iran

Abstract

Merozoite surface protein 1 of (PfMSP-1) is a leading malaria vaccine candidate. However, extensive genetic diversity of this gene in field isolates of represents a major obstacle for the development of an effective vaccine against malaria. The present study was aimed at analysing genetic polymorphisms of K1, MAD20 and RO33 allelic types of MSP-1 block 2 among isolates from Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran. In this study a total of 94 infected persons from Sistan and Baluchistan Province of Iran, were included. Blood samples were collected from March 2011 to September 2012. Block 2 of the MSP-1 gene was genotyped by allele-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after DNA extraction. Eighty-nine (94.7%) of the 94 samples were successfully amplified; 7 distinct MSP-1 genotypes were identified by size differences on agarose gels. MAD20 was the predominant MSP-1 allelic family identified in 46.1% (41/89) of the samples while RO33 family had the least frequency (7.9%). A total of 9/89 (10.1%) samples exhibited multiple infections with two alleles at PfMSP-1. The present study shows that the level of genetic diversity is relatively low in southeast of Iran and most of infections are composed of one clone, which is consistent with an area of low malaria transmission. These data are useful for malaria prevention and control in Iran.

Identification of Plasmodium Falciparum Merozoit Surface Protein-1 (PFMSP-1) Gene From Malaria Patients in Hanura Area, Lampung, Indonesia

“…There are Malaysia with PFMSP-1 gene's (MAD20) base pairs length variation range from 180 bp, Myanmar (120-300 bp), India (175-600 bp), Iran (170-210 bp with seven variations) and Ethiopia (100-300 bp). [16][17][18][19][20] Based on the results of several studies that have been presented, the base pairs length variotion of PFMSP-1 gene with MAD20 alleles ranges from 100-600 bp. Based on this, this study supports data from previous studies and has been added in new literature regarding the variation in base pairs length of the MAD20 allele from the PFMSP-1 gene.…”