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.
Wolfson Unit of Tropical Immunology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
M
M
Hommel
M
M
Hughes
P
P
Bond
J M
JM
Crampton
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