title: Initial studies of the molecular basis of peptide mimicry of group B streptococcal type III capsular polysaccharide.
abstract: We have previously shown that the peptide FDTGAFDPDWPA is a mimetic of the group B streptococcal type III capsular polysaccharide (CPS(III)). It binds to anti-CPS(III) antibodies and can be used to immunize mice and produce anti-CPS(III). In this paper we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this peptide-carbohydrate mimicry in two ways. First, we have examined the conformation of the peptide by NMR spectroscopy in water. Next, we have produced monoclonal anti-peptide and anti-CPS(III) antibodies, compared their fine specificity, and have sequenced them. The results indicate that the peptide assumes a conformation that may be similar to that of the CPS(III) in solution and that the peptide and CPS(III) elicit an overlapping repertoire of antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Montana State University, Bozeman 59715-3520, USA. spincus@montana.edu
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Pincus
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lepage
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaseja
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D051379:Mice; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D009842:Oligopeptides