Diversity analysis of MSP1 identifies conserved epitope organization in block 2 amidst high sequence variability in Indian Plasmodium falciparum isolates

Present data indicates that natural selection and transmission intensity jointly play a role in controlling allelic diversity of MSP1 in Indian parasite isolates. Despite remarkable genetic variability, a limited number of predominant and conserved epitopes are present in Indian parasite isolates reinstating the importance of MSP1 as a promising malaria vaccine candidate.