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Xu WX, Wang J, Tang HP, Chen LH, Lian WB, Zhan JM, Gupta SK, Ji CN, Gu SH, Xie Y. A simpler and more cost-effective peptide biosynthetic method using the truncated GST as carrier for epitope mapping. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186097. [PMID: 29023483 PMCID: PMC5638316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need to develop better methods for epitope mapping and/or identification of antibody-recognizing motifs. Here, we describe improved biosynthetic peptide (BSP) method using a newly developed plasmid pXXGST-3 as vector, which has a viral E7 gene in the cloning sites of pXXGST-1. It is crucial to employ pXXGST-3 instead of pXXGST-1, since it makes use of the BSP method simpler and easier to perform, and more cost-effective for epitope mapping. These merits are embodied in two aspects: i) convenient recovery of double enzyme-digested product due to the existence of 315 bp inserted between BamH I and Sal I sites, and thus greatly reducing the production of self-ligation clones, and ii) no longer requiring control protein when screening recombinant (r-) clones expressing 8/18mer peptides by running polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protocol involves the following core steps: (i) design of plus and minus strands of DNA fragments encoding overlapping 8/18mer peptides; (ii) chemical synthesis of the designed DNA fragments; (iii) development of r-clones using pXXGST-3 vector expressing each 8/18mer peptide fused with truncated GST188 protein; (iv) screening r-clones by running the cell pellets from each induced clone on SDS-PAGE gel followed by sequencing of inserted DNA fragments for each verified r-clone; and (v) Western blotting with either monoclonal antibodies or polyclonal antibodies. This improved GST188-BSP method provides a powerful alternative tool for epitope mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Xiang Xu
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (WXX); (SKG); (YX)
| | - Jian Wang
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Ping Tang
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Ling-Han Chen
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Bo Lian
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Min Zhan
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Satish K. Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (WXX); (SKG); (YX)
| | - Chao-Neng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Shao-Hua Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (WXX); (SKG); (YX)
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Mapping of minimal motifs of B-cell epitopes on human zona pellucida glycoprotein-3. Clin Dev Immunol 2011; 2012:831010. [PMID: 22162720 PMCID: PMC3227431 DOI: 10.1155/2012/831010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The human zona pellucida glycoprotein-3 (hZP3) by virtue of its critical role during fertilization has been proposed as a promising candidate antigen to develop a contraceptive vaccine. In this direction, it is imperative to map minimal motifs of the B cell epitopes (BCEs) so as to avoid ZP-specific oophoritogenic T cell epitopes (TCEs) in the ZP3-based immunogens. In this study, based on known results of mapping marmoset and bonnet monkey ZP3 (mstZP3 and bmZP3), two predictable epitopes23–30 and 301–320 on hZP3 were first confirmed and five minimal motifs within four epitopes on hZP3 were defined using serum to recombinant hZP3a22–176 or hZP3b177–348 as well as a biosynthetic peptide strategy. These defined minimal motifs were QPLWLL23–28 for hZP323–30, MQVTDD103–108 for hZP393–110, EENW178–181 for hZP3172–190, as well as SNSWF306–310 and EGP313–315 for hZP3301–320, respectively. Furthermore, the antigenicity of two peptides for hZP3172–187 and hZP3301–315 and specificity of the antibody response to these peptides were also evaluated, which produced high-titer antibodies in immunized animals that were capable of reacting to ZP on human oocytes, r-hZP3b177–348 protein, as well as r-hZP3172–190, r-hZP3303–310, and r-hZP3313–320 epitope peptides fused with truncated GST188 protein.
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Cui X, Duckworth JA, Lubitz P, Molinia FC, Haller C, Lubitz W, Cowan PE. Humoral immune responses in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) induced by bacterial ghosts expressing possum zona pellucida 3 protein. Vaccine 2010; 28:4268-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2006] [Revised: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 04/15/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Cui X, Duckworth JA, Molinia FC, Cowan PE. Identification and evaluation of an infertility-associated ZP3 epitope from the marsupial brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Vaccine 2010; 28:1499-505. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2008] [Revised: 11/10/2009] [Accepted: 11/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Holland OJ, Cowan PE, Gleeson DM, Duckworth JA, Chamley LW. MHC haplotypes and response to immunocontraceptive vaccines in the brushtail possum. J Reprod Immunol 2009; 82:57-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2009.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2009] [Revised: 03/23/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Walcher P, Cui X, Arrow JA, Scobie S, Molinia FC, Cowan PE, Lubitz W, Duckworth JA. Bacterial ghosts as a delivery system for zona pellucida-2 fertility control vaccines for brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). Vaccine 2008; 26:6832-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.09.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2006] [Revised: 09/12/2008] [Accepted: 09/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Holland OJ, Cowan PE, Gleeson DM, Chamley LW. High variability in the MHC class II DA beta chain of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Immunogenetics 2008; 60:775-81. [PMID: 18758765 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-008-0327-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2008] [Accepted: 07/31/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The diversity of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci was investigated in the brushtail possum, an important marsupial pest species in New Zealand. Immunocontraception, a form of fertility control that generates an autoimmune response, is being developed as a population control method for the possum. Because the immune response is partly under genetic control, an understanding of immunogenetics in possum will be crucial to the development of immunocontraceptive vaccines. MHC molecules are critical in the vertebrate immune response. Class II MHC molecules bind and present exogenously derived peptides to T lymphocytes and may be important in the presentation of immunocontraceptives. We used polymerase chain reaction primers designed to amplify the peptide binding region of possum class II MHC genes to isolate sequences from 49 animals. We have previously described 19 novel alleles from the DAB locus in the possum (Holland et al., Immunogenetics 60:449-460, 2008). Here, we report on another 11 novel alleles isolated from possum DAB, making this the most diverse marsupial locus described so far. This high level of diversity indicates that DAB is an important MHC locus in the possum and will need to be taken into account in the design of immunocontraceptive vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J Holland
- National Research Centre for Possum Biocontrol, Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand.
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Holland OJ, Cowan PE, Gleeson DM, Chamley LW. Novel alleles in classical major histocompatibility complex class II loci of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Immunogenetics 2008; 60:449-60. [PMID: 18548245 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-008-0300-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2008] [Accepted: 04/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We have investigated the diversity of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), an important marsupial pest species in New Zealand. Immunocontraceptive vaccines, a method of fertility control that employs the immune system to attack reproductive cells or proteins, are currently being researched as a means of population control for the possum. Variation has been observed in the immune response of individual possums to immunocontraceptives. If this variability is under genetic control, it could compromise vaccine efficacy through preferential selection of animals that fail to mount a significant immune response and remain fertile. The MHC is an important immune region for antigen presentation and as such may influence the response to immunocontraceptives. We used known marsupial MHC sequences to design polymerase chain reaction primers to screen for possum MHC loci. Alpha and beta chains from two class II families, DA and DB, were found in possums throughout New Zealand. Forty new class II MHC alleles were identified in the possum, and the levels of variability in the MHC of this marsupial appear to be comparable to those of eutherian species. Preliminary population surveys showed evidence of clustering/variability in the distribution of MHC alleles in geographically separate locations. The extensive variation demonstrated in possums reinforces the need for further research to assess the risk that such MHC variation poses for long-term immunocontraceptive vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J Holland
- National Research Centre for Possum Biocontrol, Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Duckworth JA, Cui X, Scobie S, Arrow J, Cowan PE. Development of a contraceptive vaccine for the marsupial brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula): lack of effects in mice and chickens immunised with recombinant possum ZP3 protein and a possum ZP3 antifertility epitope. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2008. [DOI: 10.1071/wr07139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Zona pellucida fertility-control vaccines are being developed in New Zealand to control an introduced marsupial pest, the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). In this study recombinant possum ZP3 protein (rZP3) and a possum ZP3 peptide (amino acids 334–361) (both known to block fertility in possums) were examined for their potential to induce species-specific, or at least marsupial-specific, infertility. Laboratory mice (a ‘model’ eutherian mammal species) and domestic chickens (a ‘model’ bird species) immunised with possum rZP3 or possum-infertility ZP3 peptide in Freund’s adjuvants showed no reduction in a range of parameters indicative of reproductive performance. The lack of contraceptive effects on mouse and chicken fertility is an encouraging result in terms of rZP3 and ZP3 peptide specificity, and these promising antigens are to be expressed in a bacterial ghost vaccine system for mucosal delivery to possums and the effects on possum fertility evaluated. Ultimately, a much wider range of non-target species will need to be screened and tested once the antigens have been successfully formulated in their final delivery vehicle.
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Duckworth JA, Wilson K, Cui X, Molinia FC, Cowan PE. Immunogenicity and contraceptive potential of three infertility-relevant zona pellucida 2 epitopes in the marsupial brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Reproduction 2007; 133:177-86. [PMID: 17244744 DOI: 10.1530/rep-06-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In a previous study, three infertility-relevant epitopes of possum ZP2 (Pep12 (amino acids 111–125), Pep31 (amino acids 301–315), and Pep44 (amino acids 431–445)) were identified using sera from possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) immunized with recombinant possum zona pellucida 2 (ZP2) constructs, and a synthetic peptide library of possum ZP2 protein. In this study, the three peptides were conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and 300 μg of each conjugated peptide were administered subcutaneously to female possums (n = 20 per peptide) in complete Freund’s adjuvant. Immunogen doses were repeated 3 and 6 weeks later using incomplete Freund’s adjuvant. Control animals were immunized with either phosphate-buffered saline only (n = 10) or 300 μg keyhole limpet hemocyanin (n = 10), administered with the same adjuvants. Serum antibodies from animals immunized against these three epitopes bound to the corresponding possum ZP2 peptides, recombinant possum ZP2 protein constructs, and native zona. Possum fertility was assessed following superovulation and artificial insemination. Peptides Pep12 and Pep31 had no significant effects on fertility parameters (P > 0.05). However, animals immunized with Pep44 had lower egg fertilization rates (immunized 19.5% versus control 60.5%, P < 0.05) and produced significantly fewer embryos than control animals (immunized 0.5 embryos versus control 2.4 embryos, P < 0.05). The number of Pep44-immunized females that produced embryos was reduced by 64%. Identification and characterization of possum infertility-relevant epitopes on possum ZP2 protein will assist development of safe, humane, and possum-specific immunocontraceptive vaccines for controlling the introduced possums in New Zealand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine A Duckworth
- National Research Centre for Possum Biocontrol at Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand
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McDowell A, McLeod BJ, Rades T, Tucker IG. Application of pharmaceutical drug delivery for biological control of the common brushtail possum in New Zealand: a review. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2006. [DOI: 10.1071/wr06028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the most significant vertebrate pest in New Zealand, being a major ecological threat to the indigenous biodiversity and an economic threat as a vector for bovine tuberculosis. Novel and effective strategies to reduce the population of T. vulpecula are needed urgently. Several biocontrol agents are currently being assessed and from research to date it is likely that the biocontrol agents will be peptide or protein molecules. It is not possible to administer such biocontrol agents alone because they would be degraded rapidly in the animal, especially if delivered orally. Technologies used in the pharmaceutical industry to design efficacious drug-delivery systems for humans and animals can be applied to the design of delivery systems for biocontrol agents used in wildlife management, although there are some unique challenges that must be overcome.
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