Mimotopes of apical membrane antigen 1: Structures of phage-derived peptides recognized by the inhibitory monoclonal antibody 4G2dc1 and design of a more active analogue.

ABSTRACT: Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is an integral membrane protein that plays a key role in merozoite invasion of host erythrocytes. A monoclonal antibody, 4G2dc1, recognizes correctly folded AMA1 and blocks merozoite invasion. Phage display was used to identify peptides that bind to 4G2dc1 and mimic an important epitope of AMA1. Three of the highest-affinity binders--J1, J3, and J7--were chosen for antigenicity and immunogenicity studies. J1 and J7 were found to be true antigen mimics since both peptides generated inhibitory antibodies in rabbits (J. L. Casey et al., Infect. Immun. 72:1126-1134, 2004). In the present study, the solution structures of all three mimotopes were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. J1 adopted a w

SUBMITTER: Sabo JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1828401 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature