Genome-wide mapping of DNA methylation in the human malaria parasite plasmodium falciparum

Nadia Ponts, Lijuan Fu, Elena Y. Harris, Jing Zhang, Duk Won D. Chung, Michael C. Cervantes, Jacques Prudhomme, Vessela Atanasova-Penichon, Enric Zehraoui, Evelien M. Bunnik, Elisandra M. Rodrigues, Stefano Lonardi, Glenn R. Hicks, Yinsheng Wang, Karine G. Le Roch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cytosine DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark in most eukaryotic cells that regulates numerous processes, including gene expression and stress responses. We performed a genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We mapped the positions of methylated cytosines and identified a single functional DNA methyltransferase (Plasmodium falciparum DNA methyltransferase; PfDNMT) that may mediate these genomic modifications. These analyses revealed that the malaria genome is asymmetrically methylated and shares common features with undifferentiated plant and mammalian cells. Notably, core promoters are hypomethylated, and transcript levels correlate with intraexonic methylation. Additionally, there are sharp methylation transitions at nucleosome and exon-intron boundaries. These data suggest that DNA methylation could regulate virulence gene expression and transcription elongation. Furthermore, the broad range of action of DNA methylation and the uniqueness of PfDNMT suggest that the methylation pathway is a potential target for antimalarial strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)696-706
Number of pages11
JournalCell Host and Microbe
Volume14
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 11 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Virology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Genome-wide mapping of DNA methylation in the human malaria parasite plasmodium falciparum'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this