tRNAgenestranscribed fromtheplastid-like DNAof Plasmodium falciparum

Besides their mitochondrial genome,malarial parasites contain asecondorganellar DNA.This35kb circular molecule hasanumberoffeatures reminiscentofplastid DNAs.Sequence analysis showsthat along withother genesthecircle codesfor25different tRNAsallofwhicharetranscribed. SixofthetRNAs havesomeunusual features, andonehasanintron, theonlyonefoundsofaronthecircle. Comparison of codonandanticodon usageindicates thatthe25 tRNAsaresufficient todecodealltheprotein genes present onthecircle. Themaintenance ofsucha parsimonious butcomplete translation systemis further evidence forthefunctionality ofthecircle.