<i>In Silico</i> Analysis and Characterization of the Immunogenicity of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Rhoptry Protein 18.

ABSTRACT: Rhoptry protein 18 (ROP18) is a key virulence factor secreted into host cells during the invasion of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of infection. Due to its potential as a vaccine candidate, this study aimed to characterize several properties of the T. gondii ROP18 (TgROP18) protein to support its inclusion in vaccine formulations. Using a range of bioinformatics tools, we investigated its T-cell and B-cell epitopes, physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, transmembrane domains, and tertiary and secondary structures. Our analysis revealed 48 post-translational modification sites in TgROP18. The secondary structure was composed of 4.87% beta-turns, 38.45% random coils, 42.42% alpha helices, and 14.26% extended

SUBMITTER: Foroutan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11806494 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature