Identification and characterization of a conserved, stage-specific gene product of Plasmodium falciparum recognized by parasite growth inhibitory antibodies.

ABSTRACT: We have identified a novel conserved protein of Plasmodium falciparum, designated D13, that is stage-specifically expressed in asexual blood stages of the parasite. The predicted open reading frame (ORF) D13 contains 863 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 99.7 kDa and displays a repeat region composed of pentapeptide motives. Northern blot analysis with lysates of synchronized blood stage parasites showed that D13 is highly expressed at the mRNA level during schizogony. The first N'-terminal 138 amino acids of D13 were expressed in Escherichia coli and the purified protein was used to generate anti-D13 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Using total lysates of blood stage parasites and Western blot analysis, these MAbs stained one single band of approximately 100 kDa, corresponding

SUBMITTER: Daubenberger CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC152076 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature