Batugedara Gayani, Lu Xueqing M, Bunnik Evelien M, Le Roch Karine G
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
Trends Parasitol. 2017 May;33(5):364-377. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.12.004. Epub 2017 Jan 5.
The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, depends on a coordinated regulation of gene expression for development and propagation within the human host. Recent developments suggest that gene regulation in the parasite is largely controlled by epigenetic mechanisms. Here, we discuss recent advancements contributing to our understanding of the mechanisms controlling gene regulation in the parasite, including nucleosome landscape, histone modifications, and nuclear architecture. In addition, various processes involved in regulation of parasite-specific genes and gene families are examined. Finally, we address the use of epigenetic processes as targets for novel antimalarial therapies. Collectively, these topics highlight the unique biology of P. falciparum, and contribute to our understanding of mechanisms regulating gene expression in this deadly parasite.
人类疟原虫恶性疟原虫在人类宿主体内的发育和繁殖依赖于基因表达的协调调控。最近的研究进展表明，该寄生虫中的基因调控在很大程度上受表观遗传机制控制。在此，我们讨论了有助于我们理解该寄生虫基因调控机制的最新进展，包括核小体图谱、组蛋白修饰和核结构。此外，还研究了参与寄生虫特异性基因和基因家族调控的各种过程。最后，我们阐述了将表观遗传过程作为新型抗疟疗法靶点的应用。总体而言，这些主题突出了恶性疟原虫独特的生物学特性，并有助于我们理解这种致命寄生虫中基因表达的调控机制。
