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Networks of genetic similarity reveal non-neutral processes shape strain structure in Plasmodium falciparum

Author

Listed:
  • Qixin He

    (University of Chicago)

  • Shai Pilosof

    (University of Chicago)

  • Kathryn E. Tiedje

    (Bio21 Institute/University of Melbourne)

  • Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez

    (Bio21 Institute/University of Melbourne)

  • Yael Artzy-Randrup

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Edward B. Baskerville

    (University of Chicago)

  • Karen P. Day

    (Bio21 Institute/University of Melbourne)

  • Mercedes Pascual

    (University of Chicago
    Santa Fe)

Abstract

Pathogens compete for hosts through patterns of cross-protection conferred by immune responses to antigens. In Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the var multigene family encoding for the major blood-stage antigen PfEMP1 has evolved enormous genetic diversity through ectopic recombination and mutation. With 50–60 var genes per genome, it is unclear whether immune selection can act as a dominant force in structuring var repertoires of local populations. The combinatorial complexity of the var system remains beyond the reach of existing strain theory and previous evidence for non-random structure cannot demonstrate immune selection without comparison with neutral models. We develop two neutral models that encompass malaria epidemiology but exclude competitive interactions between parasites. These models, combined with networks of genetic similarity, reveal non-neutral strain structure in both simulated systems and an extensively sampled population in Ghana. The unique population structure we identify underlies the large transmission reservoir characteristic of highly endemic regions in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Qixin He & Shai Pilosof & Kathryn E. Tiedje & Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez & Yael Artzy-Randrup & Edward B. Baskerville & Karen P. Day & Mercedes Pascual, 2018. "Networks of genetic similarity reveal non-neutral processes shape strain structure in Plasmodium falciparum," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-04219-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04219-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Qi Zhan & Qixin He & Kathryn E. Tiedje & Karen P. Day & Mercedes Pascual, 2024. "Hyper-diverse antigenic variation and resilience to transmission-reducing intervention in falciparum malaria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Daniel B Larremore, 2019. "Bayes-optimal estimation of overlap between populations of fixed size," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, March.

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