Title

Molecular Characterization And Expression Of An Alternate Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Homologue, Pfpcna2, In Plasmodium Falciparum

Keywords

DNA replication; Malaria; Parasite; PCNA; Plasmodium falciparum; Proliferating cell nuclear antigen

Abstract

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum genome sequencing has revealed the existence of a second gene for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a key factor in a variety of DNA metabolic events. The alternate copy of PCNA (PfPCNA2) shows only 23% identity to an earlier reported P. falciparum PCNA homologue (PfPCNA1). Our analysis indicated structural conservation of PfPCNA2 compared to eukaryotic PCNAs. PfPCNA1 and 2 polypeptides showed differential expression in the intra-erythrocytic cell cycle of the malaria parasite. PfPCNA1 expression slowly increases about threefold from the ring to the late schizont stage. In contrast PfPCNA2 showed robust expression in trophozoites and early schizonts with a sudden drop in expression in the late schizont stage, suggesting that the two PfPCNAs may function under different physiological conditions. Chemical cross-linking indicated the presence of a trimeric PfPCNA2 protein, indicating the possible existence of a functional ring-like PfPCNA2 structure. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Publication Date

11-25-2002

Publication Title

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Volume

298

Issue

3

Number of Pages

371-376

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-291X(02)02436-1

Socpus ID

0036429019 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/0036429019

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