Genetic diversity at the C-terminal domain of knob-associated histidine-rich protein (KAHRP) of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Burundi, Eastern Africa

摘要

The knob-associated histidine-rich protein (KAHRP) is an exported parasite protein and the major component of infected erythrocytes byPlasmodium falciparum.P. falciparumhistidine-rich protein-1 (PfHRP-1) is docked by KAHRP, which this interaction plays a significant role in cytoadherence of the malaria protozoan to erythrocytes and pathogenicity. The most polymorphic region of the PfHRP-1 is the C-terminal of decapeptide repeat domain (region III). The main objective of this study was to explore the genetic diversity at the region III of KAHRP inP. falciparumisolates from Burundi. In the present study, the nested PCR was performed for the amplification of the coding gene (kahrpgene) forregionIII in 35P. falciparumisolates from Burundi. The nested PCR products of seven randomly selected isolates were purified and then sequenced. As the result, three allelic forms (340 bp, 370 bp, and 400 bp) were seen at the C-terminal domain ofkahrpgene. The existence of multiple alleles of thekahrpgene revealed the presence of differentP. falciparumstrains in Burundi. It is suggested that the results could be useful in designing and the improvement of targeted therapy agents forfalciparummalaria.