Complete genomic DNA sequence of Plasmodium c. chabaudi

The malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) are important pathogens of humans and animals. These unicellular parasites belong to phylum Apicomplexa, and like other apicomplexans such as Toxoplasma or Eimeria, Plasmodium have a non-photosynthetic plastid that is often called the apicoplast. Although most if not all of the genes in the apicoplast genome are involved in either transcription or translation, this organelle is essential for the survival of the parasite species that owns it. In order to find properties unique to the parasite, the complete nucleotide sequence of the genomic DNA of the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi CB was analysed.