Antigenic variation by protozoan parasites: insights from Babesia bovis.
Antigenic variation of surface membrane proteins by protozoan parasites enables these pathogenic organisms to avoid host immune responses and thus perpetuate long-term infections. Babesia bovis, the causative agent of severe babesiosis in cattle, was previously shown to undergo antigenic variation through modifications to its primary surface antigen, a protein called VESA1. In this issue, Al-Khedery and Allred provide a detailed description of the genes that encode VESA1 and present convincing evidence for progressive, segmental gene conversion in the generation of variant forms of this surface antigen.
Dzikowski
Ron
R
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Deitsch
Kirk
K
D000818:Animals; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D016793:Babesia bovis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002417:Cattle; D017125:Genes, Protozoan
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan