Epitope mapping of pathogenic Leptospira LipL32.
OBJECTIVE
To identify LipL32 epitopes and to evaluate their capability to recognize specific antibodies using ELISA.


RESULTS
Epitope mapping by means of a library of overlapping peptide fragments prepared by simultaneous and parallel solid phase peptide synthesis on derivatized cellulose membranes (SPOT synthesis) was carried out. Eighty-seven overlapping decapentapeptides corresponding to the complete sequence of LipL32 were synthesized. According to spot-image intensities, the most reactive sequences were localized in regions 151-177 (sequence AAKAKPVQKLDDDDDGDDTYKEERHNK) and 181-204 (sequence LTRIKIPNPPKSFDDLKNIDTKKL). Two peptides (P1 and P2) corresponding to these sequences were synthesized, and their reactivity evaluated using ELISA test.


CONCLUSIONS
Epitope identification and analysis suggested the existence of two antigenic regions within LipL32. These LipL32 reactive regions were highly conserved among antigenically variants of Leptospira spp. isolates. Peptides containing these regions (P1 and P2) showed a good capability for anti-leptospiral antibody recognition.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding could have potential relevance not only for serodiagnosis but also as a starting point for the characterization of targets for vaccine design.
Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas-Universidad Nacional del Litoral, CP3000 Santa Fe, Argentina. javierl@unl.edu.ar
Javier
J
Lottersberger
Sergio A
SA
Guerrero
Georgina G
GG
Tonarelli
Ronald
R
Frank
Héctor
H
Tarabla
Norma B
NB
Vanasco
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
D010455:Peptides