Worldwide genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax Pv47 is consistent with natural selection by anopheline mosquitoes

Abstract

Abstract Pv47 is the Plasmodium vivax ortholog of Pfs47, a protein that allows the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite to evade mosquito immunity and adapt to diverse vectors. We analyzed global genetic diversity of Pv47 and compared it with Pfs47, finding that most common Pv47 polymorphisms are non-synonymous and cluster in regions similar to those in Pfs47. Pv47 domain 2 presents an excess of non-synonymous substitutions, suggesting positive selection. The greatest haplotype diversity is found in Pv47 from East/Southeast Asia and Oceania. Like Pfs47, Pv47 also exhibits a marked geographic population structure worldwide. Notably, a Pv47 polymorphism (K27E) is associated to differences in infectivity to Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albimanus and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis, two phylogenetically distant vectors in Mexico. The striking similarities in genetic diversity, population structure, and signatures of natural selection between Pv47 and Pfs47 suggest that adaptation to different Anopheline mosquito species drives Pv47 diversity by selecting compatible Pv47 haplotypes.