Regulation of gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum

With the ability to adopt an assortment of forms throughout its life cycle, and to thrive in host environments so diverse and challenging, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum may well serve as the epitome of the regulation of gene expression. The parasite is replete with mechanisms of control, many of them unique and intriguing, permitting it to transit seamlessly from one defined ecological niche to the next. This review is an attempt to capture the essence of our current understanding of transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational regulation in P. falciparum, and how this works for us in drug development.