Cloning and characterization of a highly conserved HMG-like protein (PF16) gene from Plasmodium falciparum.

A novel gene encoding a protein of 147 amino acids (Pf16) has been cloned from Plasmodium falciparum and expressed in E. coli . The protein contains 19 methionines, all of which are localized in the NH 2 -terminal 35 amino acid residues, and it is also rich in lysine. Pf16 is highly basic, contains a polyacidic domain consisting of aspartic acid and is related to the non-histone high mobility group proteins of higher eukaryotes. The gene is conserved among eight different species of Plasmodium so far examined, suggesting an important function for this gene product in the parasite's life cycle.