ApiAP2 Factors as Candidate Regulators of Stochastic Commitment to Merozoite Production in Theileria annulata

Investigation of parasite (T. annulata) gene expression over the course of the life-cycle (sporozoite->macroschizont->merozoite->piroplasm). The study focused on the expression of known and putative transcription factors, in particular members of the ApiAP2 gene family. Up-stream motifs associated with stage-specifically expressed genes were identified during the course of the analysis. The experiment investigates Theileria annulata gene expression over a differentiation time-course - sporozoite through to piroplasm. 20 samples were analyzed - 4 x sporozoite (replicates), 3 x macroschizont (replicates), 3 x day 4, 3 x day 7, 3 x day 9 (replicates) and 4 x piroplasm (replicates)