Evidence for intragenic recombination in Plasmodium falciparum:: identification of a novel allele family in block 2 of merozoite surface protein-1:: Asembo Bay Area Cohort Project XIV

We have investigated intragenic recombination in Block 2 of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1), where three allele-specific families: K1, Mad20, and 8033 were previously known. Using parasites from western Kenya, we have found a fourth Block 2 allele type, which is a recombinant between Mad20 and 8033 alleles. These recombinant alleles, which we have termed MR, contain sequence from the 5' region of Mad20 and the 3' region of RO33. The results of this study provide new data on the complexity of the MSP-1 antigen gene, which is a candidate vaccine antigen, and further support the importance of intragenic recombination in generating genetic variability in Plasmodium falciparum parasites in nature. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All tights reserved.