Antibodies and DNA probes used to analyze variant populations of the Indochina-1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum.
Ten variant populations derived from the Indochina-1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum were analyzed by using (i) hyperimmune serum raised against some of these populations in squirrel monkeys and (ii) an oligonucleotide probe based on the rep-20 sequence, which had previously been shown to be a useful marker of diversity. Although all 10 subpopulations had an identical fingerprint pattern on Southern blots probed with the oligonucleotide, thus demonstrating a homogeneous genetic makeup, they all had a different phenotype for erythrocyte-associated antigens, thus confirming serological variant-specific differences. Antibodies to erythrocyte-associated antigens were measured with a new technique including immunogold and silver enhancement. The results of this study indicate that antigenic variation can occur without major genomic reorganization.
Hommel
M
M
Wolfson Unit of Tropical Immunology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
Hughes
M
M
Bond
P
P
Crampton
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D015342:DNA Probes; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000737:chemistry; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012453:Saimiri
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D015342:DNA Probes; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes