Parasites' family planning strategy helps malaria spread
29 May 2008
Malaria parasites ensure the successful spread of the disease by being able to produce more sons than daughters when conditions are difficult, a study shows.
The finding by scientists at the University of Edinburgh could provide vital clues in the fight to stop the disease spreading. Determining when the parasites are to likely to favour producing one sex over the other could assist the development of anti-malarial drugs and vaccines.
The discovery shows for the first time that malaria parasites are much more sophisticated than previously thought. They can respond to changes in their social situation and environment, something that is traditionally associated with more complex animals such as insects, birds and mammals.
Mosquito feeding on human blood
Usually, malaria parasites will tend to produce more daughters than sons, because all the females are expected to find a mate. However, in harsher conditions, for example when under attack from a person's immune system, or when competition to breed is high among the parasites, it is beneficial to have more sons, to increase the overall chance of their genes being passed on.
The study, published in the journal Nature, was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.
Dr Sarah Reece of the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, who led the study, said, "We have long suspected that malaria parasites adjust their production of males and females to ensure their spread, and we have now shown that this is the case. We hope that by understanding the family planning strategy of these parasites, ways can be found to stop the spread of malaria."
Further information
Sarah Reece
School of Biological Sciences
Mob: 07766 548 334
Catriona Kelly
Press and PR Office
University of Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 651 4401
NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215
Press release: 28/08
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