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. 2014 Jan 22;9(1):e86802. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086802

Figure 2. Specific inhibition of gene expression using PNAs in transgenic P. falciparum parasites.

Figure 2

Dose dependent inhibition of expression of luciferase reporter gene in NF54-luc (GB). These parasites constitutively express luciferase from a chromosomal locus [20]. Increasing concentrations of 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.2, and 1.5 µM Luc-PNA were added to the culture media as well as similar concentrations of the scrambled PNA sequence (Scr-Luc-PNA). Parasites were incubated with the PNA molecules for 48h (left panel), then washed and cultured for an additional 48h (96h post incubation, right panel) in the absence of PNA in the media. Specific dose dependent inhibition of luciferase expression was found to be more robust after 96h (A), reaching up to 70% inhibition (B). LRU, luminescence rate units. ScrPNA, Scr-Luc-PNA. (C). PNA treatment down regulate luciferase expression but does influence the levels of steady state mRNA. Left panel: steady state mRNA levels of luciferase in GB parasites treated with 1.2 µM LucPNA vs untreated parasites (GB). RCN, Relative copy number. Right panel: inhibition of luciferase expression following incubation with 1.2 µM LucPNA for 48h. All experiments were done in triplicate and the average is presented with SE.