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From technology to biology: a malaria genetic toolbox for the functional dissection of essential genes
Author(s) -
Pino Paco
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/mmi.12232
Subject(s) - biology , gene , computational biology , gene expression , malaria , translation (biology) , holy grail , genetics , transcription (linguistics) , toolbox , regulation of gene expression , messenger rna , computer science , linguistics , philosophy , world wide web , immunology , programming language
Summary Possessing a system that experimentally controls gene expression has been a H oly G rail in molecular malaria research. Several strategies to control gene expression at different levels have been developed; the controlled step can range from transcription initiation to post‐translational modification and/or protein degradation. Strategies successfully developed in model organisms and adapted to the malaria parasite can be classified into four categories aimed at the conditional control of (i) gene deletion, (ii) gene transcription, (iii) mRNA translation, and (iv) protein stability. Here, I intend to describe the various strategies available and compare and contrast their advantages and limitations. In the absence of a unique, ubiquitous solution, it is instrumental to utilize a variety of approaches that can respond to the particular needs of each gene.