Population genetic analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (EBA-175) gene in Equatorial Guinea

Abstract Background Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen-175 ( Pf EBA-175) is a candidate antigen for blood-stage malaria vaccine, while various polymorphisms and dimorphism have prevented to development of effective vaccines based on this gene. This study aimed investigate the EBA-175 both Bioko Island continent Equatorial Guinea, as well genetic polymorphism natural selection global EBA-175. Methods The allelic region II 297 bloods samples from Guinea in 2018 2019 were investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction sequencing. Polymorphic characteristics effect analyzed using MEGA 7.0, DnaSP 6.0 PopART programs. Protein function prediction new amino acid mutation sites was performed PolyPhen-2 Foldx program. Results Both Bata district populations, frequency F-fragment higher than that C-fragment isolates showed high degree variability heterogeneity, with π values 0.00407 & 0.00411 Hd 0.958 0.976 nucleotide diversity, respectively. Tajima's D 0.56395 − 0.27018, Globally, Asia more diverse those Africa South America, differentiation quantified fixation index between Asian American countries populations significant (FST > 0.15, P < 0.05). A total 310 clustered 92 haplotypes, only one cluster contained three continents. mutations A34T, K109E, D278Y, K301N, L305V D329N predicted probably damaging. Conclusions demonstrated remarkably predominant area. distribution patterns diversity similar another isolates. And levels recombination events suggested intragenic might be main drivers These results important reference value vaccine antigen.