Novel cross-reactive epitopes on asexual blood stage antigens of Plasmodium falciparum.
An IgM monoclonal antibody that reacts with the merozoite membrane and internal merozoite antigens was shown to recognize several previously characterized asexual blood stage antigens of Plasmodium falciparum as well as new antigens. Among the reactive antigens identified were FIRA, GYMSSA, RESA and the S-antigen. Analysis of the cross-reactions between FIRA and GYMSSA by epitope scanning was performed. The most reactive peptides in GYMSSA had the common sequence STNS. The cross-reactive epitopes in FIRA could, in many cases, be explained by the results of a replacement net analysis performed on the STNS epitope. It is proposed that the cross-reactive epitopes, which in several cases have no obvious linear homology but possess high S, T and N content, may be present as loops or coils on the surface of the molecules.
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
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Ramasamy
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Geysen
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D014612:Vaccines
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000939:Epitopes; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines; D014612:Vaccines