Rapid identification of malaria vaccine candidates based on alpha-helical coiled coil protein motif.

ABSTRACT: To identify malaria antigens for vaccine development, we selected alpha-helical coiled coil domains of proteins predicted to be present in the parasite erythrocytic stage. The corresponding synthetic peptides are expected to mimic structurally "native" epitopes. Indeed the 95 chemically synthesized peptides were all specifically recognized by human immune sera, though at various prevalence. Peptide specific antibodies were obtained both by affinity-purification from malaria immune sera and by immunization of mice. These antibodies did not show significant cross reactions, i.e., they were specific for the original peptide, reacted with native parasite proteins in infected erythrocytes and several were active in inhibiting in vitro parasite growth. Circular dichroism studies indicated that t

SUBMITTER: Villard V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1920550 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature