Monoclonal antibodies against a 60 kDa phenothiazine-binding protein from Trypanosoma brucei can discriminate between different trypanosome species.
The dominant structure of the cytoskeleton of the Trypanosomatidae consists of a tight array of singlet pellicular microtubules, which surround the entire cell body. These microtubules are in close and stable contact with the cellular membrane. These contacts can be selectively disrupted by the action of phenothiazine drugs, which are potent trypanocides in vitro. Phenothiazine-affinity chromatography of detergent solubilized proteins from Trypanosoma brucei has resulted in the isolation of a protein of an apparent molecular weight of 60 000. Polyclonal antibodies raised against this protein (p60) have been used to investigate the presence of similar proteins in other protozoa. No such crossreacting proteins have been observed outside the family Trypanosomatidae. Within this family, a strong crossreactivity was observed with Crithidia fasciculata, while only a marginal reaction was seen with two species of Leishmania and, quite unexpectedly, also with the stercorarian trypanosomes T. cruzi and T. rangeli. Different monoclonal antibodies against p60 are able to clearly distinguish different subgenera of salivarian trypanosomes, and most notably to differentiate between various isolates of T. congolense. Therefore, these antibodies may prove valuable for diagnostic and epidemiological applications.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D003421:Crithidia / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007891:Leishmania / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000276:immunology; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000939:Epitopes; D010640:Phenothiazines; D011506:Proteins