Open AccessChromatin-Mediated Epigenetic Regulation in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Author(s) -
Liwang Cui,
Jun Miao
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
eukaryotic cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1535-9778
pISSN - 1535-9786
DOI - 10.1128/ec.00036-10
Subject(s) - biology , chromatin , epigenetics , histone , plasmodium falciparum , chromatin remodeling , histone modifying enzymes , histone code , genetics , nucleosome , epigenomics , malaria , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , gene expression , dna methylation , immunology
Malaria is a major public health problem in many developing countries, with the malignant tertian parasitePlasmodium falciparum causing the most malaria-associated mortality. Extensive research, especially with the advancement of genomics and transfection tools, has highlighted the fundamental importance of chromatin-mediated gene regulation in the developmental program of this early-branching eukaryote. ThePlasmodium parasite genomes reveal the existence of both canonical and variant histones that make up the nucleosomes, as well as a full collection of conserved enzymes for chromatin remodeling and histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Recent studies have identified a wide array of both conserved and novel histone PTMs inP. falciparum , indicating the presence of a complex and divergent “histone code.” Genome-wide analysis has begun to decipher the nucleosome landscape and histone modifications associated with the dynamic organization of chromatin structures during the parasite's life cycle. Focused studies on malaria-specific phenomena such as antigenic variation and red cell invasion pathways shed further light on the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in these processes. Here we review our current understanding of chromatin-mediated gene regulation in malaria parasites, with specific reference to exemplar studies on antigenic variation and host cell invasion.