FEBS Lett. 2011 May 7. [Epub ahead of print]
Functional genetics in Apicomplexa: Potentials and limits
Limenitakis J, Soldati-Favre D
SourceDepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, 1 rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
Abstract
The Apicomplexans are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites and the causative agents of severe diseases in humans and animals. Although complete genome sequences are available since many years and for several parasites, they are replete with putative genes of unassigned function. Forward and reverse genetic approaches are limited only to a few Apicomplexans that can either be propagated in vitro or in a convenient animal model. This review will compare and contrast the most recent strategies developed for the genetic manipulation of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium berghei and Toxoplasma gondii that have taken advantage of the intrinsic features of their respective genomes. Efforts towards the improvement of the transfection efficiencies in malaria parasites, the development of approaches to study essential genes and the elaboration of high-throughput methods for the identification of gene function will be discussed.
Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.
PMID:21557944[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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