Extended Data Figure 7: In situ degradation of nascent RNA from promoter regions is linked to the transcriptional regulation of upsA var genes.

a, Switching pattern of var gene family in PfRNase II–FKBP clones during cultivation in vitro for 70 days. The wild-type 3D7-G7 clone was used as control. The predominantly transcribed var genes are indicated beside the columns. Samples were harvested at the ring stage. The five subtype var genes are shown on the top of the graph. Data are shown as relative copy numbers related to the seryl-tRNA synthetase gene. b, Flow cytometry assay of various PfEMP1 expression in mature trophozoite-stage 3D7-G7 and PfRNase II–FKBP-G1 clones. c, Comparative qPCR var transcription analysis from nascent and steady-state mRNA in ring-stage 3D7-G7 wild-type parasites. Primers are designed against different regions of upsA-type var genes. The seryl-tRNA synthetase gene was used as an internal control for the calculation of relative copy numbers. Error bars represent s.e.m. for three independent experiments. d, Transcription analysis of upsA var gene in field isolates from patients with severe malaria or uncomplicated malaria. Data are shown as relative copy numbers related to the seryl-tRNA synthetase gene. **, P < 0.01 (two-tailed Student’s t-test).