title: Generation and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies specific to Plasmodium falciparum enolase.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Glycolysis is the sole source of energy for the intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum, making glycolytic enzymes putative therapeutic targets. Enolase, a single copy gene in P. falciparum is one such enzyme whose activity is elevated approximately 10-15 fold in infected RBC's. It holds the possibility of having multiple biological functions in the parasite and hence can be a suitable candidate for diagnostic and chemotherapeutic purposes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have aimed at generating parasite-specific reagents in the form of monoclonal antibodies. We have raised monoclonal antibodies against the recombinant P. falciparum enolase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two IgG monoclonals were obtained with 1:1000 titre and specific for P. falciparum enolase. Apicomplexan parasites including P. falciparum enolase has a plant like pentapeptide sequence (104EWGWS108) which is uniquely different from the host counterpart. A peptide spanning this pentapeptide region (ELDGSKNEWGWSKSK) coupled to BSA was used to raise parasite-specific antibody. Four monoclonals were obtained with 1:1000 titre and of IgM isotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All the monoclonals are specific for P. falciparum enolase and one of them display reactivity against native P. falciparum enolase signifying this pentapeptide to be surface exposed and immunogenic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Ipsita
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pal-Bhowmick
authors.forename: Hardeep K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Vora
authors.forename: Jaya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Shobhona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Gotam K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Jarori
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000276:immunology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase