A new blood stage antigen of Plasmodium falciparum transported to the erythrocyte surface.
On screening a lambda gt11 library from Plasmodium falciparum genomic DNA with an antiserum against the 41-kDa protein band, which confers protective immunity to monkeys, two strongly reacting clones were isolated. One of the clones codes for parts of the P. falciparum 41-kDa aldolase, while the other (41-2) codes for parts of an unknown antigen; this was analyzed further. The 41-2 insert was used to identify two genomic fragments which carry the entire gene. The 41-2 gene codes for 184 amino acids specifying a 29-kDa schizont protein as estimated by Western blot analysis. The protein contains no repetitive sequences, and is characterized by a signal sequence and by two additional hydrophobic segments which could function as membrane anchor sequences. Computer analysis of the protein sequence predicted a dominant epitope in the N-terminal part which was confirmed by immunoreactivity data. The 41-2 protein could be localized in the schizont membrane, associated with membranous structures in the erythrocytic cytoplasm and with the erythrocyte membrane.
Knapp
B
B
Department of Molecular Biology, Behringwerke AG, Marburg, F.R.G.
Hundt
E
E
Küpper
H A
HA
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001692:Biological Transport; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015183:Restriction Mapping
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D004247:DNA