Figure 4. Evolution of erythrocyte invasion ligands across Laverania parasite species.

(a) Comparison of the RH locus on chromosome 13 between P. falciparum 3D7, P. reichenowi CDC and P. gaboni. The forward and reverse DNA strands are shown as thick horizontal lines (grey), with sequence gaps (white boxes), where appropriate. Annotated genes (red/green/blue) are shown above or below the DNA lines, in forward or reverse reading frames, respectively, and connected by coloured quadrilaterals to indicate conservation between homologous genes. At this one locus, there have been two incidents of gene loss (RH7 between Pf3D7 and PrCDC; Rh6 between Pg and Pr) and one incident of gene gain (Rh2a in Pf). Multiple frameshifts in Pr and Pf are shown but none could be detected in Pg. (b) Stylized phylogram showing the relationship between P. falciparum, P. reichenowi and P. gaboni, indicating the incidents of gene loss and gain within the EBL and Rh gene families across the species radiation.