Identification and characterization of a Babesia bigemina thrombospondin-related superfamily member, TRAP-1: a novel antigen containing neutralizing epitopes involved in merozoite invasion.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) has been described as a potential vaccine candidate for several diseases caused by apicomplexan parasites. However, this protein and members of this family have not yet been characterized in Babesia bigemina, one of the most prevalent species causing bovine babesiosis.

Methods

The 3186-bp Babesia bigemina TRAP-1 (BbiTRAP-1) gene was identified by a bioinformatics search using the B. bovis TRAP-1 sequence. Members of the TRAP and TRAP-related protein families (TRP) were identified in Babesia and Theileria through a search of the TSP-1 adhesive domain, which is the hallmark motif in both proteins. Structural modeling and phylogenetic analysis were performed with the identified TRAP proteins. A truncated recombinant Bbi

SUBMITTER: Montenegro VN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7705850 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature