Multiple splice variants encode a novel adenylyl cyclase of possible plastid origin expressed in the sexual stage of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

We report the characterization of an unusual adenylyl cyclase gene from Plasmodium falciparum, here designated PfACalpha. The level of mRNA expression is maximum during development of gametocytes (the sexual blood stage of the parasite life cycle). The gene is highly interrupted by 22 introns, and reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis revealed that there are multiple mRNA splice variants.