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A rational approach to the serial culture of malaria parasites: evidence for a deficiency in RNA synthesis during the first cycle in vitro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

P. I. Trigg
Affiliation:
Division of Parasitology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA
W. E. Gutteridge
Affiliation:
Division of Parasitology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA

Extract

When ring-stage parasites are grown to the late trophozoite stage in vitro, the incorporation of [3H]adenosine into parasite DNA and RNA is in the ratio of ~ 1:1·5 and not 1:4 as expected from direct biochemical analysis of the parasite. A method is described by which large quantities of infected blood can be grown in vitro from the ring to the trophozoite stage thus allowing direct biochemical analysis of parasites grown in vitro. The results of direct biochemical analysis indicated that parasites grown in vitro have similar DNA and protein contents to those grown in vitro but that RNA contents are much less in vitro. Quantitative histochemical studies also indicated a deficiency in RNA in parasites grown in vitro. It is concluded from the evidence of three distinct methods that RNA synthesis is defective during the first asexual cycle in vitro. In the second cycle all three macromolecular biosyntheses studied are reduced when compared to the first so that the actual rate of RNA synthesis is further reduced when compared to that in vitro. It is suggested that the successive decrease in RNA synthesis parallels the reduction in multiplication obtained on subculture of the parasite.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1972

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