Fig. 2.

Bioinformatic analysis of the entire var gene family revealed a unique TG-rich DNA motif in all var introns and 5′UTRs. The MEME motif-finding algorithm was used for the initial screen for TG-rich DNA motifs on all var introns of the 3D7 parasite line. Three T[G/A] motifs were identified, which were termed “M1-3” and are marked with light blue, blue, and red, respectively. The MAST algorithm was used to locate their presence in the 5′ UTRs of all var genes. This screen was limited to sequences with at least 25% G/C content. The presentation of these motifs above or below the genes indicates their orientation on the DNA strands.