Isolation and characterisation of ribosomal RNA from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Ribosomal RNA isolated from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum consists of two species with molecular weight of 1.49 ± 0.09 × 10 6 and 0.78 ± 0.02 × 10 6 present in equimolar quantities. Their molecular weights are comparable with those of other protozoa but quite distinct from those of the human host. The overall base composition of the rRNA (40% G+C) is close to that of the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei. Unlike the latter, however, P. falciparum has no nick in the RNA from its large ribosomal subunit.