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Githinji, George Lloyd
(2016).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000ef9d
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1) is an important group of cytoadhesive multi-domain Plasmodium falciparum surface antigens that are inserted onto the surface of infected erythrocytes and are encoded by the var multi-gene family. PfEMP1 antigens are thought to be important targets of naturally acquired immunity to malaria. This thesis describes nucleotide variation in DBLα sequence tags, a semi-conserved region within the DBLα domain that can be PCR amplified using universal primers. PfEMP1 can be classified using a number of approaches some of which are associated with particular expression patterns in severe, non-severe and asymptomatic malaria. This work compared the classification approaches with an aim of understanding the extent of overlap or discordance between them. To explore non-random distribution of variation in respect to var’s functional specialization, a clustering approach was developed and applied in exploring patterns of nucleotide variation among var subsets from different geographical locations in addition to distribution of predicted B and T-cell epitopes among the var subsets. In summary the sequences showed distinct patterns of nucleotide substitution that suggests that var sequences are under both diversifying and purifying selection.
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About
- Item ORO ID
- 61341
- Item Type
- PhD Thesis
- Keywords
- Biological sciences; Plasmodium
- Academic Unit or School
- Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
- Associated Research Centre
- KEMRI - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya
- Copyright Holders
- © 2016 The Author
- Depositing User
- ORO Import