Properties of the Plasmodium falciparum homologue of a protective vaccine candidate of Plasmodium yoelii

Uhlemann, AC; Oguariri, RM; McColl, DJ; Coppel, RL; Kremsner, PG; Anders, RF; Kun, JFJ

Author(s): Uhlemann, AC; Oguariri, RM; McColl, DJ; Coppel, RL; Kremsner, PG; Anders, RF; Kun, JFJ;
Details: Publication Year 2001-11,Volume 118,Issue #1,Page 41-48
Journal Title: MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY
Publication Type: Journal Article
Abstract: We describe an unusual tryptophan-rich protein of Plasmodium falciparum that contains threonine-rich repeats. The protein is encoded by a 2.5 kb gene with a two-exon structure including a short AT-rich intron that is spliced out of the mature message. The 5' end of the gene encodes a hydrophobic region, which is assumed to be a signal peptide. The peptide sequence is characterised by a tryptophan-rich region and a block of degenerate threonine repeats. The protein is synthesised throughout the asexual life cycle and has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 94 kDa. It has a variable molecular weight in different strains of P. falciparum. Length polymorphisms can be found in the intron region and the second exon. Four single nucleotide mutations are localised in the tryptophan-rich region and two were found in the threonine-repeat block. Homology searches based on gene structure and amino acid sequence revealed a relationship with a P. yoclii antigen that has been used successfully in vaccine studies. Thus, this P. falciparum antigen should be considered an additional candidate for assessment in vaccination against the asexual blood-stages of P. falciparum. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Keywords: MEROZOITE SURFACE PROTEIN-1; INFECTED ERYTHROCYTES; MALARIA PARASITES; BLOOD-STAGE; ANTIGENS; GENE; IMMUNIZATION; CULTURE; MONKEYS; DNA
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-6851(01)00370-X
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2001-11-01 12:00:00