Development of Nested PCR-Heteroduplex Mobility Assay for Determination of Genetic Diversity in the Block 2 Region of the Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 1 Gene

Abstract EN

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium parasite has significantly related to malaria control and vaccine development.

The P.

falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (Pfmsp1) gene is a commonly used molecular marker to differentiate genetic diversity.

This study is aimed at developing a nested PCR-Heteroduplex Mobility Assay (nPCR-HMA) for determination of the block 2 of the Pfmsp1 gene.

The MAD20 family allele of P.

falciparum was used as a control for optimization of the annealing and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis conditions.

In order to evaluate the developed nPCR-HMA, 8 clinical P.

falciparum isolates were examined for allelic variants.

The results revealed 9 allelic variants.

Our study indicated that the successful nPCR-HMA with good precision and accuracy offers a more rapid, efficient, and cheap method for large-scale molecular epidemiological studies as compared to nucleotide sequencing.