Molecular markers and genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax

Enhanced understanding of the transmission dynamics and population genetics for Plasmodium vivax is crucial in predicting the emergence and spread of novel parasite phenotypes with major public health implications, such as new relapsing patterns, drug resistance and increased virulence. Suitable molecular markers are required for these population genetic studies. Here, we focus on two groups of molecular markers that are commonly used to analyse natural populations of P. vivax. We use markers under selective pressure, for instance, antigen-coding polymorphic genes, and markers that are not under strong natural selection, such as most minisatellite and microsatellite loci. First, we review data obtained using genes encoding for P. vivax antigens: circumsporozoite protein, merozoite surface proteins 1 and 3α, apical membrane antigen 1 and Duffy binding antigen. We next address neutral or nearly neutral molecular markers, especially microsatellite loci, providing a complete list of markers that have already been used in P. vivax populations studies. We also analyse the microsatellite loci identified in the P. vivax genome project. Finally, we discuss some practical uses for P. vivax genotyping, for example, detecting multiple-clone infections and tracking the geographic origin of isolates

Micropropagação do abacaxizeiro ornamental Protocol for in vitromicropropagation of ornamental pineapple

O Ananas comosus var. erectifolius, cultivar de abacaxi ornamental, tem apresentado grande interesse para paisagistas e floricultores do Brasil e do exterior, por ser uma planta ornamental tropical, exótica e rústica. A produção de plantas ornamentais a partir de técnicas de cultura de tecidos apresenta-se como uma alternativa viável para a obtenção de um grande número de plantas com qualidade genética e fitossanitária, em um curto espaço de tempo, suprindo, assim, a necessidade do mercado na aquisição de mudas com qualidade comprovada. Estudou-se a influência das concentrações de BAP (0; 0,5; 1,0 e 1,5 mg L-1) e ANA (0,0; 0,12; 0,24; 0,48 mg L-1) no meio de cultura MS com 0; 2,5; 5,0; e 7,5 g L-1 de ágar, visando estabelecer um protocolo para multiplicação e enraizamento in vitro de brotos de abacaxizeiro ornamental. Brotações com 1,5 &plusmn; 0,5 cm, já estabelecidas in vitro, oriundas das gemas da coroa do fruto do abacaxizeiro ornamental, foram inoculados assepticamente nos frascos. Após inoculados, os explantes foram mantidos em sala de crescimento com luminosidade em torno de 35 ìmol m-2 s-1, 26&plusmn;1ºC e fotoperíodo de 16 horas. Após 45 dias observou-se que a multiplicação in vitrodo abacaxi ornamental é viável em meio MS líquido acrescido de BAP 1,5 mg L-1 e o enraizamento também em meio MS líquido, na ausência de reguladores de crescimento.<br>The Ananas comosus var. erectifoliusis an ornamental pineapple cultivar which greatly interests Brazilians and foreign landscapers and flower producers for being an exotic and rustic tropical ornamental plant. The market demand for high quality of cuttings requires efficient methods of propagation and in this context the tissue culture stands out as a viable alternative to obtain plants with genetic and phytossanitary quality in a short time. In the present work we studied the influence of concentrations of BAP (0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 mg L-1) and NAA (0; 0.12; 0.24; 0.48 mg L-1) in the MS medium culture within 0; 2.5; 5.0; 7.5 g L-1 of agar, in order to establish an invitro protocol for multiplication and rooting of ornamental pineapple. Plantlets with 1.5&plusmn;0.5 cm already established in vitro, extracted from buds of ornamental pineapple fruits crown were inoculated aseptically in flasks. After inoculation the plantlets were kept in a growth room at 26&plusmn;1ºC, 35 ìmol m-2 s-1 irradiance and a 16-hour photoperiod. After 45 days we observed that the multiplication of ornamental pineapple is viable at liquid MS medium with BAP 1.5 mg L-1 and the rooting is also increased in liquid MS medium in absence of growth regulators