The complete sequence of a Plasmodium malariae SSUrRNA gene and its comparison to other plasmodial SSUrRNA genes.

A gene encoding the small subunit rRNA (SSUrRNA) has been isolated from the human parasite, Plasmodium malariae. The gene has been sequenced. It contains conserved and variable regions which conform to patterns established for other eukaryotic SSUrRNA genes. Comparisons with other SSUrRNA genes from Plasmodium species reveal regions unique to P. malariae which could be used in specific diagnostic probes for this organism, and provide evidence that the gene is of the type expressed during asexual growth. In addition the '5.8S' gene has been cloned from P. malariae. The gene has been sequenced. It contains bases universally conserved in '5.8S' genes but there is considerable divergence between the P. malariae sequence and that of the P. falciparum gene.