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Kebede AM, Sutanto E, Trimarsanto H, Benavente ED, Barnes M, Pearson RD, Siegel SV, Erko B, Assefa A, Getachew S, Aseffa A, Petros B, Lo E, Mohammed R, Yilma D, Rumaseb A, Nosten F, Noviyanti R, Rayner JC, Kwiatkowski DP, Price RN, Golassa L, Auburn S. Genomic analysis of Plasmodium vivax describes patterns of connectivity and putative drivers of adaptation in Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20788. [PMID: 38012191 PMCID: PMC10682486 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47889-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ethiopia has the greatest burden of Plasmodium vivax in Africa, but little is known about the epidemiological landscape of parasites across the country. We analysed the genomic diversity of 137 P. vivax isolates collected nine Ethiopian districts from 2012 to 2016. Signatures of selection were detected by cross-country comparisons with isolates from Thailand (n = 104) and Indonesia (n = 111), representing regions with low and high chloroquine resistance respectively. 26% (35/137) of Ethiopian infections were polyclonal, and 48.5% (17/35) of these comprised highly related clones (within-host identity-by-descent > 25%), indicating frequent co-transmission and superinfection. Parasite gene flow between districts could not be explained entirely by geographic distance, with economic and cultural factors hypothesised to have an impact on connectivity. Amplification of the duffy binding protein gene (pvdbp1) was prevalent across all districts (16-75%). Cross-population haplotype homozygosity revealed positive selection in a region proximal to the putative chloroquine resistance transporter gene (pvcrt-o). An S25P variant in amino acid transporter 1 (pvaat1), whose homologue has recently been implicated in P. falciparum chloroquine resistance evolution, was prevalent in Ethiopia (96%) but not Thailand or Indonesia (35-53%). The genomic architecture in Ethiopia highlights circulating variants of potential public health concern in an endemic setting with evidence of stable transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hidayat Trimarsanto
- Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, PO Box 41096, Darwin, NT, 0811, Australia
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ernest Diez Benavente
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mariana Barnes
- Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, PO Box 41096, Darwin, NT, 0811, Australia
| | | | | | - Berhanu Erko
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ashenafi Assefa
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sisay Getachew
- Armauer Hansen Research Unit (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Millipore Sigma (Bioreliance), Rockville, USA
| | - Abraham Aseffa
- Armauer Hansen Research Unit (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Daniel Yilma
- Jimma University Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Angela Rumaseb
- Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, PO Box 41096, Darwin, NT, 0811, Australia
| | - Francois Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Julian C Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Ric N Price
- Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, PO Box 41096, Darwin, NT, 0811, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lemu Golassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sarah Auburn
- Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, PO Box 41096, Darwin, NT, 0811, Australia.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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2
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Villasis E, Garro K, Rosas-Aguirre A, Rodriguez P, Rosado J, Gave A, Guzman-Guzman M, Manrique P, White M, Speybroeck N, Vinetz JM, Torres K, Gamboa D. PvMSP8 as a Novel Plasmodium vivax Malaria Sero-Marker for the Peruvian Amazon. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030282. [PMID: 33801386 PMCID: PMC7999794 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The measurement of recent malaria exposure can support malaria control efforts. This study evaluated serological responses to an in-house Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 8 (PvMSP8) expressed in a Baculovirus system as sero-marker of recent exposure to P. vivax (Pv) in the Peruvian Amazon. In a first evaluation, IgGs against PvMSP8 and PvMSP10 proteins were measured by Luminex in a cohort of 422 Amazonian individuals with known history of Pv exposure (monthly data of infection status by qPCR and/or microscopy over five months). Both serological responses were able to discriminate between exposed and non-exposed individuals in a good manner, with slightly higher performance of anti-PvMSP10 IgGs (area under the curve AUC = 0.78 [95% CI = 0.72–0.83]) than anti-PvMSP8 IgGs (AUC = 0.72 [95% CI = 0.67–0.78]) (p = 0.01). In a second evaluation, the analysis by ELISA of 1251 plasma samples, collected during a population-based cross-sectional survey, confirmed the good performance of anti-PvMSP8 IgGs for discriminating between individuals with Pv infection at the time of survey and/or with antecedent of Pv in the past month (AUC = 0.79 [95% CI = 0.74–0.83]). Anti-PvMSP8 IgG antibodies can be considered as a good biomarker of recent Pv exposure in low-moderate transmission settings of the Peruvian Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Villasis
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, 15102, Lima, Peru; (K.G.); (P.R.); (K.T.)
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (A.R.-A.); (J.M.V.); (D.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Katherine Garro
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, 15102, Lima, Peru; (K.G.); (P.R.); (K.T.)
| | - Angel Rosas-Aguirre
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (A.R.-A.); (J.M.V.); (D.G.)
- Research Institute of Health and Society (IRSS). Université Catholique de Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-champs 30/B1.30.14 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels 1200, Belgium;
| | - Pamela Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, 15102, Lima, Peru; (K.G.); (P.R.); (K.T.)
| | - Jason Rosado
- Malaria: Parasites and Hosts Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France; (J.R.); (M.W.)
- Sorbonne Université, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, École Doctorale Pierre Louis - Santé Publique, Campus des Cordeliers, ED 393, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Anthony Gave
- Laboratorio de Malaria: Parásitos y Vectores, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru;
| | - Mitchel Guzman-Guzman
- Laboratorio ICEMR-Amazonia, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru;
| | - Paulo Manrique
- Leishmania and Malaria Research Unit. Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru;
| | - Michael White
- Malaria: Parasites and Hosts Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France; (J.R.); (M.W.)
| | - Niko Speybroeck
- Research Institute of Health and Society (IRSS). Université Catholique de Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-champs 30/B1.30.14 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels 1200, Belgium;
| | - Joseph Michael Vinetz
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (A.R.-A.); (J.M.V.); (D.G.)
- Laboratorio ICEMR-Amazonia, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru;
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Katherine Torres
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, 15102, Lima, Peru; (K.G.); (P.R.); (K.T.)
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (A.R.-A.); (J.M.V.); (D.G.)
| | - Dionicia Gamboa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (A.R.-A.); (J.M.V.); (D.G.)
- Laboratorio de Malaria: Parásitos y Vectores, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru;
- Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru
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Identification of Plasmodium falciparum-specific protein PIESP2 as a novel virulence factor related to cerebral malaria. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 177:535-547. [PMID: 33631268 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most severe complication caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection. The pathophysiological changes caused by parasite virulence factors and the human immune response to parasites contribute to CM. To date, very few parasite virulence proteins have been found to participate in CM. Here, we employed comparative genomics analysis and identified parasite-infected erythrocyte specific protein 2 (PIESP2) to be a CM-related protein. We conducted further experimental investigations and found that PIESP2 is an immunogenic protein. PIESP2 expression begins at the early trophozoite stage and progressively increases with parasite development. Although PIESP2 proteins mainly reside within infected red blood cells (IRBCs), some of them are present on the IRBC surface at the pigmented stage. Moreover, blockage of PIESP2 by antiserum apparently inhibited the adhesion of IRBCs to brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). Western blot analysis detected the binding of PIESP2 to BMECs. Transcriptional analysis revealed that the binding of PIESP2 to BMECs can increase the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory response but decrease the expression of genes related to the anchoring junction. Overall, PIESP2 might be associated with CM by mediating the sequestration of IRBCs, inducing the inflammation response, and impairing the integrity of blood-brain barrier.
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4
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Lozano JM, Rodríguez Parra Z, Hernández-Martínez S, Yasnot-Acosta MF, Rojas AP, Marín-Waldo LS, Rincón JE. The Search of a Malaria Vaccine: The Time for Modified Immuno-Potentiating Probes. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020115. [PMID: 33540947 PMCID: PMC7913233 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a deadly disease that takes the lives of more than 420,000 people a year and is responsible for more than 229 million clinical cases globally. In 2019, 95% of malaria morbidity occurred in African countries. The development of a highly protective vaccine is an urgent task that remains to be solved. Many vaccine candidates have been developed, from the use of the entire attenuated and irradiated pre-erythrocytic parasite forms (or recombinantly expressed antigens thereof) to synthetic candidates formulated in a variety of adjuvants and delivery systems, however these have unfortunately proven a limited efficacy. At present, some vaccine candidates are finishing safety and protective efficacy trials, such as the PfSPZ and the RTS,S/AS01 which are being introduced in Africa. We propose a strategy for introducing non-natural elements into target antigens representing key epitopes of Plasmodium spp. Accordingly, chemical strategies and knowledge of host immunity to Plasmodium spp. have served as the basis. Evidence is obtained after being tested in experimental rodent models for malaria infection and recognized for human sera from malaria-endemic regions. This encourages us to propose such an immune-potentiating strategy to be further considered in the search for new vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Lozano
- Grupo de Investigación Mimetismo Molecular de los Agentes Infecciosos, Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia—Sede Bogotá, 111321 Bogota, Colombia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-3102-504-657
| | - Zully Rodríguez Parra
- Grupo de Investigación Mimetismo Molecular de los Agentes Infecciosos, Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia—Sede Bogotá, 111321 Bogota, Colombia;
| | - Salvador Hernández-Martínez
- Dirección de Infección e Inmunidad, Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 62508 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Maria Fernanda Yasnot-Acosta
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, 230002 Monteria, Colombia;
| | - Angela Patricia Rojas
- Grupo de Investigación Biología Celular y Autoinmuniad, Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogotá, 111321 Bogota, Colombia;
| | | | - Juan Edilberto Rincón
- Departamento de Ingeniería y Mecatrónica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogotá, 111321 Bogota, Colombia;
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5
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A Chimeric Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein Antibody Recognizes and Blocks Erythrocytic P. cynomolgi Berok Merozoites In Vitro. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00645-20. [PMID: 33199351 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00645-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on erythrocytic Plasmodium vivax merozoite antigens is critical for identifying potential vaccine candidates in reducing P. vivax disease. However, many P. vivax studies are constrained by its inability to undergo long-term culture in vitro Conserved across all Plasmodium spp., merozoite surface proteins are essential for invasion into erythrocytes and highly expressed on erythrocytic merozoites, thus making it an ideal vaccine candidate. In clinical trials, the P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1-19) vaccine candidate alone has shown to have limited immunogenicity in patients; hence, we incorporate the highly conserved and immunogenic C terminus of both P. vivax merozoite surface protein 8 (PvMSP8) and PvMSP1-19 to develop a multicomponent chimeric protein rPvMSP8+1 for immunization of mice. The resulted chimeric rPvMSP8+1 antibody was shown to recognize native protein MSP8 and MSP1-19 of mature P. vivax schizonts. In the immunized mice, an elevated antibody response was observed in the rPvMSP8+1-immunized group compared to that immunized with single-antigen components. In addition, we examined the growth inhibition of these antibodies against Plasmodium cynomolgi (Berok strain) parasites, which is phylogenetically close to P. vivax and sustains long-term culture in vitro Similarly, the chimeric anti-rPvMSP8+1 antibodies recognize P. cynomolgi MSP8 and MSP1-19 on mature schizonts and showed strong inhibition in vitro via growth inhibition assay. This study provides support for a new multiantigen-based paradigm rPvMSP8+1 to explore potential chimeric vaccine candidates against P. vivax malaria using sister species P. cynomolgi.
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Nagaoka H, Kanoi BN, Jinoka K, Morita M, Arumugam TU, Palacpac NMQ, Egwang TG, Horii T, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. The N-Terminal Region of Plasmodium falciparum MSP10 Is a Target of Protective Antibodies in Malaria and Is Important for PfGAMA/PfMSP10 Interaction. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2669. [PMID: 31824483 PMCID: PMC6880778 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical manifestation of malaria is mainly due to intra-erythrocytic development of Plasmodium parasites. Plasmodium falciparum merozoites, the invasive form of the blood-stage parasite, invade human erythrocytes in a complex but rapid process. This multi-step progression involves interactions between parasite and human host proteins. Here we show that antibodies against a vaccine antigen, PfGAMA, co-immunoprecipitate with PfMSP10. This interaction was validated as direct by surface plasmon resonance analysis. We then demonstrate that antibodies against PfMSP10 have growth inhibitory activity against cultured parasites, with the region PfMSP10 R1 that is critical for its interaction with PfGAMA being the key target. We also observe that the PfMSP10 R1 region is highly conserved among African field isolates. Lastly, we show that high levels of antibodies against PfMSP10 R1 associate with reduced risk to clinical malaria in children resident in a malaria endemic region in northern Uganda. Put together, these findings provide for the first time the functional context of the important role of PfGAMA/PfMSP10 interaction in erythrocyte invasion and unveil a novel asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine target for attenuating P. falciparum merozoite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Nagaoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Bernard N Kanoi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Kana Jinoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Thangavelu U Arumugam
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Nirianne M Q Palacpac
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | | | - Toshihiro Horii
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
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Bendezu J, Villasis E, Morales Ruiz S, Garro K, Infante B, Gutierrez-Loli R, Rodríguez P, Fernández-Díaz M, Gamboa D, Torres K. Evaluation of Plasmodium falciparum MSP10 and its development as a serological tool for the Peruvian Amazon region. Malar J 2019; 18:327. [PMID: 31547821 PMCID: PMC6757379 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2959-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different antigens are needed to characterize Plasmodium falciparum infection in terms of seroreactivity and targets for invasion inhibition, in order to guide and identify the proper use of such proteins as tools for the development of serological markers and/or as vaccine candidates. METHODS IgG responses in 84 serum samples from individuals with P. falciparum infection [classified as symptomatic (Sym) or asymptomatic (Asym)], or acute Plasmodium vivax infection, from the Peruvian Amazon region, were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays specific for a baculovirus-produced recombinant protein P. falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 10 (rMSP10) and for non-EGF region selected peptides of PfMSP10 selected by a bioinformatics tool (PfMSP10-1, PfMSP10-2 and PfMSP10-3). Monoclonal antibodies against the selected peptides were evaluated by western blotting, confocal microscopy and inhibition invasion assays. RESULTS Seroreactivity analysis of the P. falciparum Sym- and Asym-infected individuals against rMSP10 showed a higher response as compared to the individuals with P. vivax acute infection. IgG responses against peptide PfMSP10-1 were weak. Interestingly high IgG response was found against peptide PfMSP10-2 and the combination of peptides PfMSP10-1 + PfMSP10-2. Monoclonal antibodies were capable of detecting native PfMSP10 on purified schizonts by western blot and confocal microscopy. A low percentage of inhibition of merozoite invasion of erythrocytes in vitro was observed when the monoclonal antibodies were compared with the control antibody against AMA-1 antigen. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of PfMSP10 in the merozoite invasion. CONCLUSIONS The rMSP10 and the PfMSP10-2 peptide synthesized for this study may be useful antigens for evaluation of P. falciparum malaria exposure in Sym and Asym individuals from the Peruvian Amazon region. Moreover, these antigens can be used for further investigation of the role of this protein in other malaria-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Bendezu
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, FARVET, Carretera Panamericana Sur No 766 km 198.5, Chincha Alta, Ica, Peru.
| | - Elizabeth Villasis
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo "Abraham Vaisberg Wolach, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt-Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru
| | - Sandra Morales Ruiz
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, FARVET, Carretera Panamericana Sur No 766 km 198.5, Chincha Alta, Ica, Peru
| | - Katherine Garro
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo "Abraham Vaisberg Wolach, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Berónica Infante
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo "Abraham Vaisberg Wolach, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Renzo Gutierrez-Loli
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo "Abraham Vaisberg Wolach, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Pamela Rodríguez
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo "Abraham Vaisberg Wolach, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Manolo Fernández-Díaz
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, FARVET, Carretera Panamericana Sur No 766 km 198.5, Chincha Alta, Ica, Peru
| | - Dionicia Gamboa
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo "Abraham Vaisberg Wolach, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt-Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru
| | - Katherine Torres
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo "Abraham Vaisberg Wolach, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt-Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru.
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Izak D, Klim J, Kaczanowski S. Host-parasite interactions and ecology of the malaria parasite-a bioinformatics approach. Brief Funct Genomics 2019; 17:451-457. [PMID: 29697785 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/ely013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the highest mortality infectious diseases. Malaria is caused by parasites from the genus Plasmodium. Most deaths are caused by infections involving Plasmodium falciparum, which has a complex life cycle. Malaria parasites are extremely well adapted for interactions with their host and their host's immune system and are able to suppress the human immune system, erase immunological memory and rapidly alter exposed antigens. Owing to this rapid evolution, parasites develop drug resistance and express novel forms of antigenic proteins that are not recognized by the host immune system. There is an emerging need for novel interventions, including novel drugs and vaccines. Designing novel therapies requires knowledge about host-parasite interactions, which is still limited. However, significant progress has recently been achieved in this field through the application of bioinformatics analysis of parasite genome sequences. In this review, we describe the main achievements in 'malarial' bioinformatics and provide examples of successful applications of protein sequence analysis. These examples include the prediction of protein functions based on homology and the prediction of protein surface localization via domain and motif analysis. Additionally, we describe PlasmoDB, a database that stores accumulated experimental data. This tool allows data mining of the stored information and will play an important role in the development of malaria science. Finally, we illustrate the application of bioinformatics in the development of population genetics research on malaria parasites, an approach referred to as reverse ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Izak
- Department of Bioinformatics at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences
| | - Joanna Klim
- Department of Microbial Chemistry at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences
| | - Szymon Kaczanowski
- Department of Bioinformatics at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences
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Ahmed MA, Chu KB, Vythilingam I, Quan FS. Within-population genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium knowlesi merozoite surface protein 1 gene from geographically distinct regions of Malaysia and Thailand. Malar J 2018; 17:442. [PMID: 30497496 PMCID: PMC6267868 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The C-terminal 42 kDa domain of Plasmodium knowlesi merozoite surface protein 1 (PkMSP1) is a potential asexual blood-stage vaccine candidate, however, only a limited number of clinical isolates have been analysed from Malaysia and no inter-country comparative diversity study has been conducted. In the present study, nucleotide diversity, haplotypes and natural selection levels of pkmsp1 in clinical samples from geographically distinct regions of Malaysia and Thailand were investigated. The overall population structure of the parasite from the region was determined. METHODS Eleven full-length pkmsp1 sequences obtained from clinical isolates of Malaysia along with the H-strain were downloaded from the database for domain wise characterization of pkmsp1 gene. Additionally, 76 pkmsp-142 sequences from Thailand and Malaysia were downloaded from the database for intra and inter-population analysis. DnaSP 5.10 and MEGA 5.0 software were used to determine genetic diversity, polymorphism, haplotypes and natural selection. Genealogical relationships were determined using haplotype network tree in NETWORK software v5.0. Population genetic differentiation index (FST) of parasites were analysed using Arlequin v3.5. RESULTS Sequence analysis of 11 full-length pkmsp1 sequences along with the H-strain identified 477 (8.4%) polymorphic sites, of which 107 were singleton sites. The overall diversity observed in the full-length genes were high in comparison to its ortholog pvmsp1 and the 4 variable domains showed extensive size variations. The nucleotide diversity was low towards the pkmsp1-42 compared to the conserved domains. The 19 kDa domain was less diverse and completely conserved among isolates from Malaysian Borneo. The nucleotide diversity of isolates from Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand were higher than Malaysian Borneo. Network analysis of pkmsp1-42 haplotypes showed geographical clustering of the isolates from Malaysian Borneo and grouping of isolates from Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand. Population differentiation analysis indicated high FST values between parasite populations originating from Malaysian Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand attributing to geographical distance. Moderate genetic differentiation was observed for parasite populations from Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Evidence of population expansion and purifying selection were observed in all conserved domains with strongest selection within the pkmsp1-42 domain. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to report on inter country genetic diversity and population structure of P. knowlesi based on msp1. Strong evidence of negative selection was observed in the 42 kDa domain, indicating functional constrains. Geographical clustering of P. knowlesi and moderate to high genetic differentiation values between populations identified in this study highlights the importance of further evaluation using larger number of clinical samples from Southeast Asian countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Atique Ahmed
- Department of Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Back Chu
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Indra Vythilingam
- Parasitology Department, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fu-Shi Quan
- Department of Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. .,Biomedical Science Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Ahmed MA, Fauzi M, Han ET. Genetic diversity and natural selection of Plasmodium knowlesi merozoite surface protein 1 paralog gene in Malaysia. Malar J 2018. [PMID: 29540177 PMCID: PMC5853062 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2256-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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11
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Alnasser Y, Ferradas C, Clark T, Calderon M, Gurbillon A, Gamboa D, McKakpo US, Quakyi IA, Bosompem KM, Sullivan DJ, Vinetz JM, Gilman RH. Colorimetric Detection of Plasmodium vivax in Urine Using MSP10 Oligonucleotides and Gold Nanoparticles. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005029. [PMID: 27706158 PMCID: PMC5051960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent cause of human malaria in the world and can lead to severe disease with high potential for relapse. Its genetic and geographic diversities make it challenging to control. P. vivax is understudied and to achieve control of malaria in endemic areas, a rapid, accurate, and simple diagnostic tool is necessary. In this pilot study, we found that a colorimetric system using AuNPs and MSP10 DNA detection in urine can provide fast, easy, and inexpensive identification of P. vivax. The test exhibited promising sensitivity (84%), high specificity (97%), and only mild cross-reactivity with P. falciparum (21%). It is simple to use, with a visible color change that negates the need for a spectrometer, making it suitable for use in austere conditions. Using urine eliminates the need for finger-prick, increasing both the safety profile and patient acceptance of this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yossef Alnasser
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Taryn Clark
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Uri S. McKakpo
- School of Public Health and Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Isabella A. Quakyi
- School of Public Health and Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwabena M. Bosompem
- School of Public Health and Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - David J. Sullivan
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joseph M. Vinetz
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Robert H. Gilman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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12
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Jackson AP. Gene family phylogeny and the evolution of parasite cell surfaces. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2016; 209:64-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Beeson JG, Drew DR, Boyle MJ, Feng G, Fowkes FJI, Richards JS. Merozoite surface proteins in red blood cell invasion, immunity and vaccines against malaria. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2016; 40:343-72. [PMID: 26833236 PMCID: PMC4852283 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria accounts for an enormous burden of disease globally, with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the majority of malaria, and P. vivax being a second important cause, especially in Asia, the Americas and the Pacific. During infection with Plasmodium spp., the merozoite form of the parasite invades red blood cells and replicates inside them. It is during the blood-stage of infection that malaria disease occurs and, therefore, understanding merozoite invasion, host immune responses to merozoite surface antigens, and targeting merozoite surface proteins and invasion ligands by novel vaccines and therapeutics have been important areas of research. Merozoite invasion involves multiple interactions and events, and substantial processing of merozoite surface proteins occurs before, during and after invasion. The merozoite surface is highly complex, presenting a multitude of antigens to the immune system. This complexity has proved challenging to our efforts to understand merozoite invasion and malaria immunity, and to developing merozoite antigens as malaria vaccines. In recent years, there has been major progress in this field, and several merozoite surface proteins show strong potential as malaria vaccines. Our current knowledge on this topic is reviewed, highlighting recent advances and research priorities. The authors summarize current knowledge of merozoite surface proteins of malaria parasites; their function in invasion, processing of surface proteins before, during and after invasion, their importance as targets of immunity, and the current status of malaria vaccines that target merozoite surface proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Beeson
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damien R Drew
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michelle J Boyle
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gaoqian Feng
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Freya J I Fowkes
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jack S Richards
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Boes A, Reimann A, Twyman RM, Fischer R, Schillberg S, Spiegel H. A Plant-Based Transient Expression System for the Rapid Production of Malaria Vaccine Candidates. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1404:597-619. [PMID: 27076325 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3389-1_39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
There are currently no vaccines that provide sterile immunity against malaria. Various proteins from different stages of the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle have been evaluated as vaccine candidates, but none of them have fulfilled expectations. Therefore, combinations of key antigens from different stages of the parasites life cycle may be essential for the development of efficacious malaria vaccines. Following the identification of promising antigens using bioinformatics, proteomics, and/or immunological approaches, it is necessary to express, purify, and characterize these proteins and explore the potential of fusion constructs combining different antigens or antigen domains before committing to expensive and time-consuming clinical development. Here, using malaria vaccine candidates as an example, we describe how Agrobacterium tumefaciens-based transient expression in plants can be combined with a modular and flexible cloning strategy as a robust and versatile tool for the rapid production of candidate antigens during research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Boes
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas Reimann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Holger Spiegel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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15
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Maskus DJ, Bethke S, Seidel M, Kapelski S, Addai-Mensah O, Boes A, Edgü G, Spiegel H, Reimann A, Fischer R, Barth S, Klockenbring T, Fendel R. Isolation, production and characterization of fully human monoclonal antibodies directed to Plasmodium falciparum MSP10. Malar J 2015; 14:276. [PMID: 26174014 PMCID: PMC4502606 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0797-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Semi-immunity against the malaria parasite is defined by a protection against clinical episodes of malaria and is partially mediated by a repertoire of inhibitory antibodies directed against the blood stage of Plasmodium falciparum, in particular against surface proteins of merozoites, the invasive form of the parasite. Such antibodies may be used for preventive or therapeutic treatment of P. falciparum malaria. Here, the isolation and characterization of novel human monoclonal antibodies (humAbs) for such applications is described. METHODS B lymphocytes had been selected by flow cytometry for specificity against merozoite surface proteins, including the merozoite surface protein 10 (MSP10). After Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation and identification of promising resulting lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), human immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions (Vh or Vl regions) were secured, cloned into plant expression vectors and transiently produced in Nicotiana benthamiana in the context of human full-size IgG1:κ. The specificity and the affinity of the generated antibodies were assessed by ELISA, dotblot and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. The growth inhibitory activity was evaluated based on growth inhibition assays (GIAs) using the parasite strain 3D7A. RESULTS Supernatants from two LCLs, 5E8 and 5F6, showed reactivity against the second (5E8) or first (5F6) epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain of MSP10. The isolated V regions were recombinantly expressed in their natural pairing as well as in combination with each other. The resulting recombinant humAbs showed affinities of 9.27 × 10(-7) M [humAb10.1 (H5F6:κ5E8)], 5.46 × 10(-9) M [humAb10.2 (H5F6:κ5F6)] and 4.34 × 10(-9) M [humAb10.3 (H5E8:κ5E8)]. In GIAs, these antibodies exhibited EC50 values of 4.1 mg/ml [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-6.6 mg/ml], 6.9 mg/ml (CI 5.5-8.6 mg/ml) and 9.5 mg/ml (CI 5.5-16.4 mg/ml), respectively. CONCLUSION This report describes a platform for the isolation of human antibodies from semi-immune blood donors by EBV transformation and their subsequent characterization after transient expression in plants. To our knowledge, the presented antibodies are the first humAbs directed against P. falciparum MSP10 to be described. They recognize the EGF-like folds of MSP10 and bind these with high affinity. Moreover, these antibodies inhibit P. falciparum 3D7A growth in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika J Maskus
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Susanne Bethke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Melanie Seidel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Stephanie Kapelski
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Otchere Addai-Mensah
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Alexander Boes
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Güven Edgü
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Holger Spiegel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Reimann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Stefan Barth
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University and Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Torsten Klockenbring
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Rolf Fendel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University and Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
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Cheng Y, Wang B, Sattabongkot J, Lim CS, Tsuboi T, Han ET. Immunogenicity and antigenicity of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 10. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2559-68. [PMID: 24764159 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3907-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Among the proteins involved in the invasion by merozoite, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are suggested as potential vaccine candidates because of their localization to apical organelles and the surface; these candidates are predicted to play essential roles during invasion. As a GPI-AP, Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 10 (PvMSP-10) induces high antibody titers. However, such high antibody titers have shown no protective efficacy for animals challenged with P. vivax parasites in a previous study. To adequately evaluate the immunogenicity and further characterize PvMSP-10 in order to understand its vaccine potential, we assessed its immunogenicity by immunizing BALB/c mice with cell-free expressed recombinant PvMSP-10 protein. The antigenicity of MSP-10 was analyzed, and we found 42% sensitivity and 95% specificity using serum samples from P. vivax-infected Korean patients. The IgG1 and IgG3 were the predominant immunoreactive antibodies against PvMSP-10 in vivax patient sera, and IgG1 and IgG3 and Th1-type cytokines were predominantly secreted in PvMSP-10-immunized mice. We conclude that the immunogenicity and antigenicity of MSP-10 may serve as a potential vaccine against vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cheng
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Hyoja2-dong, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, 200-701, Republic of Korea
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Yang F, Li W, Jørgensen HJL. Transcriptional reprogramming of wheat and the hemibiotrophic pathogen Septoria tritici during two phases of the compatible interaction. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81606. [PMID: 24303057 PMCID: PMC3841193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The disease septoria leaf blotch of wheat, caused by fungal pathogen Septoria tritici, is of worldwide concern. The fungus exhibits a hemibiotrophic lifestyle, with a long symptomless, biotrophic phase followed by a sudden transition to necrotrophy associated with host necrosis. Little is known about the systematic interaction between fungal pathogenicity and host responses at specific growth stages and the factors triggering the transition. In order to gain some insights into global transcriptome alterations in both host and pathogen during the two phases of the compatible interaction, disease transition was monitored using pathogenesis-related gene markers and H2O2 signature prior to RNA-Seq. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the slow symptomless growth was accompanied by minor metabolic responses and slightly suppressed defences in the host, whereas necrotrophic growth was associated with enhanced host responses involving energy metabolism, transport, signalling, defence and oxidative stress as well as a decrease in photosynthesis. The fungus expresses distinct classes of stage-specific genes encoding potential effectors, probably first suppressing plant defence responses/facilitating the symptomless growth and later triggering life style transition and inducing host necrosis/facilitating the necrotrophic growth. Transport, signalling, anti-oxidative stress mechanisms and apoplastic nutrient acquisition play important roles in the entire infection process of S. tritici. Our findings uncover systematic S. tritici-induced expression profiles of wheat related to specific fungal infection strategies and provide a transcriptome resource for studying both hosts and pathogens in plant-Dothideomycete interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Yang
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Hans J. L. Jørgensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Salgado-Jiménez B, Arce-Fonseca M, Baylón-Pacheco L, Talamás-Rohana P, Rosales-Encina JL. Differential immune response in mice immunized with the A, R or C domain from TcSP protein of Trypanosoma cruzi or with the coding DNAs. Parasite Immunol 2013; 35:32-41. [PMID: 23106492 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In a murine model of experimental Trypanosoma cruzi (H8 strain) infection, we investigated the induction of protective immunity against the domains [amino (A), repeats (R) and carboxyl (C)] of the surface protein (SP), a member of the trans-sialidase (TS) superfamily. Recombinant proteins and plasmid DNA coding for the respective proteins were used to immunize BALB/c mice, and the humoral response and cytokine levels were analysed. Immunization with the recombinant proteins induced higher levels of anti-TcSP antibodies than immunization with the corresponding DNAs, and analysis of serum cytokines showed that immunization with both recombinant proteins and naked DNA resulted in a Th1-Th2 mixed T-cell response. Mice immunized with either recombinant proteins or plasmid DNA were infected with blood trypomastigotes. The recombinant protein-immunized mice showed a variable reduction in peak parasitemia, and most died by day 60. Only the pBKTcSPR-immunized mice exhibited a significant reduction in peak parasitemia and survived the lethal challenge. DNA-based immunization with DNA coding for the repeats domain of TcSP is a good candidate for the development of a vaccine against experimental T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Salgado-Jiménez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, México, D.F, México
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Pacheco MA, Elango AP, Rahman AA, Fisher D, Collins WE, Barnwell JW, Escalante AA. Evidence of purifying selection on merozoite surface protein 8 (MSP8) and 10 (MSP10) in Plasmodium spp. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2012; 12:978-86. [PMID: 22414917 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2012.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Revised: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Evidence for natural selection, positive or negative, on gene encoding antigens may indicate variation or functional constraints that are immunologically relevant. Most malaria surface antigens with high genetic diversity have been reported to be under positive-diversifying selection. However, antigens with limited genetic variation are usually ignored in terms of the role that natural selection may have in generating such patterns. We investigated orthologous genes encoding two merozoite proteins, MSP8 and MSP10, among several mammalian Plasmodium spp. These antigens, together with MSP1, are among the few MSPs that have two epidermal growth factor-like domains (EGF) at the C-terminal. Those EGF are relatively conserved (low levels of genetic polymorphism) and have been proposed to act as ligands during the invasion of RBCs. We use several evolutionary genetic methods to detect patterns consistent with natural selection acting on MSP8 and MSP10 orthologs in the human parasites Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, as well as closely related malarial species found in non-human primates (NHPs). Overall, these antigens have low polymorphism in the human parasites in comparison with the orthologs from other Plasmodium spp. We found that the MSP10 gene polymorphism in P. falciparum only harbor non-synonymous substitutions, a pattern consistent with a gene under positive selection. Evidence of purifying selection was found on the polymorphism observed in both orthologs from P. cynomolgi, a non-human primate parasite closely related to P. vivax, but it was not conclusive in the human parasite. Yet, using phylogenetic base approaches, we found evidence for purifying selection on both MSP8 and MSP10 in the lineage leading to P. vivax. Such antigens evolving under strong functional constraints could become valuable vaccine candidates. We discuss how comparative approaches could allow detecting patterns consistent with negative selection even when there is low polymorphism in the extant populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Andreína Pacheco
- Center for Evolutionary Medicine and Informatics, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
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Novel putative glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored micronemal antigen of Plasmodium falciparum that binds to erythrocytes. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2009; 8:1869-79. [PMID: 19820120 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00218-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We have identified a new Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding protein that appears to be located in the micronemes of the merozoite stage of the parasite and membrane linked through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. The protein is designated GPI-anchored micronemal antigen (GAMA) and was identified by applying a set of selection criteria to identify previously uncharacterized merozoite proteins that may have a role in cell invasion. The protein is also present in the proteomes of the sporozoite and ookinete micronemes and is conserved throughout the genus. GAMA contains a novel domain that may be constrained by disulfide bonds and a predicted C-terminal hydrophobic sequence that is presumably replaced by the GPI. The protein is synthesized late during schizogony, processed into two fragments that are linked by a disulfide bond, and translocated to an apical location, which is probably the micronemes. In a proportion of free merozoites GAMA can also be detected on the parasite surface. Following erythrocyte invasion the bulk of the protein is shed in a soluble form, although a short C-terminal fragment may be carried into the newly invaded red blood cell. The protein was shown to bind reversibly to erythrocytes and therefore represents a new example of a host cell binding protein.
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Giraldo MA, Arevalo-Pinzon G, Rojas-Caraballo J, Mongui A, Rodriguez R, Patarroyo MA. Vaccination with recombinant Plasmodium vivax MSP-10 formulated in different adjuvants induces strong immunogenicity but no protection. Vaccine 2009; 28:7-13. [PMID: 19782110 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.09.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2009] [Revised: 09/05/2009] [Accepted: 09/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Although largely considered benign, Plasmodium vivax causes disease in nearly 75 million people each year and the available strategies are not sufficient to reduce the burden of disease, therefore pointing to vaccine development as a cost-effective control measure. In this study, the P. vivax merozoite surface protein 10 (MSP-10) was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography. High antigenicity was observed since sera from P. vivax-infected patients strongly recognized rPvMSP10. The immunogenicity of rPvMSP10 was tested in Aotus monkeys, comparing responses induced by formulations with Freund's adjuvant, Montanide ISA720 or aluminum hydroxide. All formulations produced high antibody titers recognizing the native protein in late schizonts. Despite inducing strong antibody production, none of the formulations protected immunized Aotus monkeys upon experimental challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A Giraldo
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Singh S, Soe S, Weisman S, Barnwell JW, Pérignon JL, Druilhe P. A conserved multi-gene family induces cross-reactive antibodies effective in defense against Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5410. [PMID: 19404387 PMCID: PMC2671155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2008] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two related merozoite surface proteins, MSP3 and MSP6, have previously been identified as targets of antibody-dependent cellular inhibition (ADCI), a protective mechanism against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Both MSP3 and MSP6 share a common characteristic small N-terminal signature amino-acid stretch (NLRNA/G), a feature similar to MSP3-like orthologs identified in other human and primate malaria parasites. METHODS/RESULTS This signature amino-acid sequence led to the identification of eight ORFs contiguously located on P. falciparum chromosome 10. Our subsequent investigations on their expression, localization, sequence conservation, epitope sharing, immunogenicity and the functional role of antibodies in defense are reported here. Six members of P. falciparum MSP3-multigene family share similar sequence organization within their C-terminal regions, are simultaneously expressed as merozoite surface proteins and are highly conserved among parasite isolates. Each of these proteins is a target of naturally occurring antibodies effective at parasite killing in ADCI assays. Moreover, both naturally occurring antibodies and those generated by immunization display cross-reactivity with other members of the family and exhibit varied binding avidities. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The unusual characteristics of the MSP3 multi-gene family lead us to hypothesize that the simultaneous expression of targets eliciting cross-reactive antibody responses capable of controlling parasite densities could represent an immune process selected through evolution to maintain homeostasis between P. falciparum and human hosts; a process that allows the continuous transmission of the parasite without killing the host. Our observations also have practical consequences for vaccine development by suggesting MSP3 vaccine efficacy might be improved when combined with the various C-terminus regions of the MSP3 family members to generate a wider range of antibodies acting and to increase vaccine immunogenicity in varied human genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash Singh
- Bio-medical Parasitology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (SS); (PD)
| | - Soe Soe
- Bio-medical Parasitology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Simon Weisman
- Bio-medical Parasitology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - John W. Barnwell
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Pierre Druilhe
- Bio-medical Parasitology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (SS); (PD)
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Patarroyo ME, Cifuentes G, Bermúdez A, Patarroyo MA. Strategies for developing multi-epitope, subunit-based, chemically synthesized anti-malarial vaccines. J Cell Mol Med 2009; 12:1915-35. [PMID: 19012725 PMCID: PMC4506160 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00174.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
An anti-malarial vaccine against the extremely lethal Plasmodium falciparum is desperately needed. Peptides from this parasite's proteins involved in invasion and having high red blood cell-binding ability were identified; these conserved peptides were not immun genic or protection-inducing when used for immunizing Aotus monkeys. Modifying some critical binding residues in these high-activi binding peptides' (HABPs') attachment to red blood cells (RBC) allowed them to induce immunogenicity and protection against expermental challenge and acquire the ability to bind to specific HLA-DRp1* alleles. These modified HABPs adopted certain characterist structural configurations as determined by circular dichroism (CD) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) associated with certain HLA-DRβ1* haplotype binding activities and characteristics, such as a 2-Å-distance difference between amino acids fitting into HLA-DRp1 Pockets 1 to 9, residues participating in binding to HLA-DR pockets and residues making contact with the TCR, suggesting haplotyp and allele-conscious TCR. This has been demonstrated in HLA-DR-like genotyped monkeys and provides the basis for designing high effective, subunit-based, multi-antigen, multi-stage, synthetic vaccines, for immediate human use, malaria being one of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Patarroyo
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunólogia de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia.
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Bracho G, Zayas C, Wang L, Coppel R, Pérez O, Petrovsky N. AFCo1, a meningococcal B-derived cochleate adjuvant, strongly enhances antibody and T-cell immunity against Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 4 and 5. Malar J 2009; 8:35. [PMID: 19250541 PMCID: PMC2662867 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2008] [Accepted: 02/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Whilst a large number of malaria antigens are being tested as candidate malaria vaccines, a major barrier to the development of an effective vaccine is the lack of a suitable human adjuvant capable of inducing a strong and long lasting immune response. In this study, the ability of AFCo1, a potent T and B cell adjuvant based on cochleate structures derived from meningococcal B outer membrane proteoliposomes (MBOMP), to boost the immune response against two Plasmodium falciparum antigens, merozoite surface protein 4 (MSP4) and 5 (MSP5), was evaluated. Methods Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), which is able to confer protection against malaria in animal MSP4/5 vaccine challenge models, was used as positive control adjuvant. MSP4 and 5-specific IgG, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), T-cell proliferation, and cytokine production were evaluated in parallel in mice immunized three times intramuscularly with MSP4 or MSP5 incorporated into AFCo1, synthetic cochleate structures, CFA or phosphate buffered saline. Results AFCo1 significantly enhanced the IgG and T-cell response against MSP4 and MSP5, with a potency equivalent to CFA, with the response being characterized by both IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes, increased interferon gamma production and a strong DTH response, consistent with the ability of AFCo1 to induce Th1-like immune responses. Conclusion Given the proven safety of MBOMP, which is already in use in a licensed human vaccine, AFCo1 could assist the development of human malaria vaccines that require a potent and safe adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Bracho
- Department of Immunology, Finlay Institute, Havana City, Cuba.
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25
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Gondeau C, Corradin G, Heitz F, Le Peuch C, Balbo A, Schuck P, Kajava AV. The C-terminal domain of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 self-assembles into alpha-helical coiled coil tetramer. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 165:153-61. [PMID: 19428662 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2008] [Revised: 01/28/2009] [Accepted: 01/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Proteins located on the surface of the pathogenic malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are objects of intensive studies due to their important role in the invasion of human cells and the accessibility to host antibodies thus making these proteins attractive vaccine candidates. One of these proteins, merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) represents a leading component among vaccine candidates; however, little is known about its structure and function. Our biophysical studies suggest that the 40 residue C-terminal domain of MSP3 protein self-assembles into a four-stranded alpha-helical coiled coil structure where alpha-helices are packed "side-by-side". A bioinformatics analysis provides an extended list of known and putative proteins from different species of Plasmodium which have such MSP3-like C-terminal domains. This finding allowed us to extend some conclusions of our studies to a larger group of the malaria surface proteins. Possible structural and functional roles of these highly conserved oligomerization domains in the intact merozoite surface proteins are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Gondeau
- Centre de Recherches de Biochimie Macromoléculaire, CNRS UMR-5237, University of Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
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26
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Proellocks NI, Kats LM, Sheffield DA, Hanssen E, Black CG, Waller KL, Coppel RL. Characterisation of PfRON6, a Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry neck protein with a novel cysteine-rich domain. Int J Parasitol 2008; 39:683-92. [PMID: 19073187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2008] [Revised: 10/31/2008] [Accepted: 11/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The pathological consequences of malaria infection are the result of parasite replication within red blood cells (RBCs). Invasion into RBCs is mediated by a large repertoire of parasite proteins that are distributed on the parasite surface and within specialised apical secretory organelles. As invasion is an essential step in the parasite life-cycle, targeting invasion-related molecules provides an avenue for therapeutic intervention. We have used genome and transcriptome data available for Plasmodium falciparum to identify proteins likely to be involved in RBC invasion. Of these candidates, we selected a protein which we have dubbed PfRON6 for detailed characterisation. PfRON6 contains a novel cysteine-rich domain that is conserved in other Apicomplexan parasites. We show that PfRON6 is localised in the rhoptry neck of merozoites and is transferred to the newly formed parasitophorous vacuole during invasion. Transfection experiments indicate that the gene which encodes PfRON6 is refractory to integration that disrupts the coding sequence, suggesting its absence is incompatible with the parasite life-cycle. Further, the cysteine-rich domain appears to be functionally important as it cannot be truncated. Taken together, these data identify PfRON6 as a novel and potentially important component of the Plasmodium invasion machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas I Proellocks
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Building 53, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Chen Z, Harb OS, Roos DS. In silico identification of specialized secretory-organelle proteins in apicomplexan parasites and in vivo validation in Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3611. [PMID: 18974850 PMCID: PMC2575384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites, including the human pathogens Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, employ specialized secretory organelles (micronemes, rhoptries, dense granules) to invade and survive within host cells. Because molecules secreted from these organelles function at the host/parasite interface, their identification is important for understanding invasion mechanisms, and central to the development of therapeutic strategies. Using a computational approach based on predicted functional domains, we have identified more than 600 candidate secretory organelle proteins in twelve apicomplexan parasites. Expression in transgenic T. gondii of eight proteins identified in silico confirms that all enter into the secretory pathway, and seven target to apical organelles associated with invasion. An in silico approach intended to identify possible host interacting proteins yields a dataset enriched in secretory/transmembrane proteins, including most of the antigens known to be engaged by apicomplexan parasites during infection. These domain pattern and projected interactome approaches significantly expand the repertoire of proteins that may be involved in host parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- ZhongQiang Chen
- Department of Biology, Penn Genomic Frontiers Institute, and the Graduate Program in Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Omar S. Harb
- Department of Biology, Penn Genomic Frontiers Institute, and the Graduate Program in Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DSR); (OSH)
| | - David S. Roos
- Department of Biology, Penn Genomic Frontiers Institute, and the Graduate Program in Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DSR); (OSH)
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28
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Rodriguez LE, Curtidor H, Urquiza M, Cifuentes G, Reyes C, Patarroyo ME. Intimate Molecular Interactions of P. falciparum Merozoite Proteins Involved in Invasion of Red Blood Cells and Their Implications for Vaccine Design. Chem Rev 2008; 108:3656-705. [DOI: 10.1021/cr068407v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hernando Curtidor
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Carrera 50 No. 26-00, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mauricio Urquiza
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Carrera 50 No. 26-00, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gladys Cifuentes
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Carrera 50 No. 26-00, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Reyes
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Carrera 50 No. 26-00, Bogotá, Colombia
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29
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Curtidor H, Arévalo G, Vanegas M, Vizcaíno C, Patarroyo MA, Forero M, Patarroyo ME. Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum integral membrane protein Pf25-IMP and identification of its red blood cell binding sequences inhibiting merozoite invasion in vitro. Protein Sci 2008; 17:1494-504. [PMID: 18556472 DOI: 10.1110/ps.036251.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The identification of proteins present on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells as well as of free merozoites has been widely considered as one of the main areas of research in the development of an antimalarial vaccine due to their involvement in the parasite's pathogenesis and invasion mechanisms. Major advances had been accomplished in this area thanks to the analysis of the reported genomic sequence of P. falciparum, allowing for the identification of genes encoding for putative integral membrane proteins. This study reports for the first time the transcription of the MAL8P1.3 gene, which codifies for a 25-kDa integral membrane protein of P. falciparum (FCB-2 strain), namely, Pf25-IMP. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays using goat polyclonal sera indicate that this protein is expressed in erythrocytic asexual blood stages. A highly robust, sensible, and specific receptor-ligand interaction assay allowed identification of two high activity binding peptides (HABPs) derived from Pf25-IMP: 30577 ((41)YKTANENVKLASSLSDRLSR(60)) and 30583 ((161)LNKKTVVRKIAEGLGYTIVF(180)). Both HABPs bound with high affinity to human red blood cells (RBCs), and such binding was susceptible to enzyme treatment with trypsin. A common RBC surface receptor of apparently 48 kDa was found for both HABPs, plus an additional 31-kDa receptor for HABP 30577. HABP 30577 inhibited merozoite invasion in vitro by 73%, while HABP 30583 showed a 59% inhibition at 200 microM concentration. The data suggest a possible role of Pf25-IMP in merozoite invasion to RBCs and support its inclusion in further immunological studies for evaluating its potential as vaccine candidates.
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Weedall GD, Polley SD, Conway DJ. Gene-specific signatures of elevated non-synonymous substitution rates correlate poorly across the Plasmodium genus. PLoS One 2008; 3:e2281. [PMID: 18509456 PMCID: PMC2384006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2008] [Accepted: 04/13/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comparative genome analyses of parasites allow large scale investigation of selective pressures shaping their evolution. An acute limitation to such analysis of Plasmodium falciparum is that there is only very partial low-coverage genome sequence of the most closely related species, the chimpanzee parasite P. reichenowi. However, if orthologous genes have been under similar selective pressures throughout the Plasmodium genus then positive selection on the P. falciparum lineage might be predicted to some extent by analysis of other lineages. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here, three independent pairs of closely related species in different sub-generic clades (P. falciparum and P. reichenowi; P. vivax and P. knowlesi; P. yoelii and P. berghei) were compared for a set of 43 candidate ligand genes considered likely to be under positive directional selection and a set of 102 control genes for which there was no selective hypothesis. The ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) were significantly elevated in the candidate ligand genes compared to control genes in each of the three clades. However, the rank order correlation of dN/dS ratios for individual candidate genes was very low, less than the correlation for the control genes. SIGNIFICANCE The inability to predict positive selection on a gene in one lineage by identifying elevated dN/dS ratios in the orthologue within another lineage needs to be noted, as it reflects that adaptive mutations are generally rare events that lead to fixation in individual lineages. Thus it is essential to complete the genome sequences of particular species of phylogenetic importance, such as P. reichenowi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth D Weedall
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
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31
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Black CG, Proellocks NI, Kats LM, Cooke BM, Mohandas N, Coppel RL. In vivo studies support the role of trafficking and cytoskeletal-binding motifs in the interaction of MESA with the membrane skeleton of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2008; 160:143-7. [PMID: 18482775 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2008.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2008] [Revised: 04/01/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In red blood cells (RBCs) infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, a 19-residue region of the mature parasite-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (MESA) associates with RBC cytoskeleton protein 4.1R; an interaction essential for parasite survival. This region in MESA is adjacent to a host targeting motif found in other malaria parasite proteins exported to the membrane skeleton. To demonstrate function of these motifs in vivo, regions of MESA fused to a reporter were expressed in malaria parasites. Immunochemical analyses confirmed the requirement for both motifs in the trafficking and interaction of MESA with the cytoskeleton and demonstrates their function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casilda G Black
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Proellocks NI, Kovacevic S, Ferguson DJ, Kats LM, Morahan BJ, Black CG, Waller KL, Coppel RL. Plasmodium falciparum Pf34, a novel GPI-anchored rhoptry protein found in detergent-resistant microdomains. Int J Parasitol 2007; 37:1233-41. [PMID: 17521656 PMCID: PMC2712672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2007.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2006] [Revised: 02/28/2007] [Accepted: 03/22/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites are characterised by the presence of specialised organelles, such as rhoptries, located at the apical end of invasive forms that play an important role in invasion of the host cell and formation of the parasitophorous vacuole. In this study, we have characterised a novel Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry protein, Pf34, encoded by a single exon gene located on chromosome 4 and expressed as a 34kDa protein in mature asexual stage parasites. Pf34 is expressed later in the life cycle than the previously described rhoptry protein, Rhoptry Associated Membrane Antigen (RAMA). Orthologues of Pf34 are present in other Plasmodium species and a potential orthologue has also been identified in Toxoplasma gondii. Indirect immunofluorescence assays show that Pf34 is located at the merozoite apex and localises to the rhoptry neck. Pf34, previously demonstrated to be glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol (GPI)-anchored [Gilson, P.R., Nebl, T., Vukcevic, D., Moritz, R.L., Sargeant, T., Speed, T.P., Schofield, L., Crabb, B.S. (2006) Identification and stoichiometry of GPI-anchored membrane proteins of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Mol. Cell. Proteomics 5, 1286-1299.], is associated with parasite-derived detergent-resistant microdomains (DRMs). Pf34 is carried into the newly invaded ring, consistent with a role for Pf34 in the formation of the parasitophorous vacuole. Pf34 is exposed to the human immune system during infection and is recognised by human immune sera collected from residents of malaria endemic areas of Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas I. Proellocks
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Svetozar Kovacevic
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - David J.P. Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Pathology, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Lev M. Kats
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Belinda J. Morahan
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Casilda G. Black
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Karena L. Waller
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ross L. Coppel
- NHMRC Program in Malaria, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
- Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
- Corresponding Author. Ross L. Coppel, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia., Tel.: +61 3 9905 4822; fax: +61 3 9905 4811., E-mail address:
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Rodriguez LE, Vera R, Valbuena J, Curtidor H, Garcia J, Puentes A, Ocampo M, Lopez R, Rosas J, Lopez Y, Patarroyo MA, Patarroyo ME. Characterisation of Plasmodium falciparum RESA-like protein peptides that bind specifically to erythrocytes and inhibit invasion. Biol Chem 2007; 388:15-24. [PMID: 17214545 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2007.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum ring-erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA)-like putative protein was identified and characterised. PCR and RT-PCR assays revealed that the gene encoding this protein was both present and being transcribed in P. falciparum strain FCB-2 16 h after erythrocyte invasion. Indirect immunofluorescence studies detected this protein in infected erythrocyte (IE) cytosol in dense fluorescent granules similar to Maurer's clefts at 16-20 h (parasites in ring and trophozoite stages) and very strongly on IE membranes at 22 h, suggesting that it is synthesised during early ring stages (16 h) and transported to the infected red blood cell (RBC) membrane surface during the trophozoite stage (22 h). Western blotting showed that antisera produced against polymerised synthetic peptides of this protein recognised a 72-kDa band in P. falciparum schizont lysate. P. falciparum RESA-like peptides used in normal RBC binding assays revealed that peptides 30326 ((101)NAEKI LGFDD KNILE ALDLFY(120)), 30334 ((281)RVTWK KLRTK MIKAL KKSLTY(300)) and 30342 ((431)SSPQR LKFTA GGGFC GKLRNY(450)) bind with high activity and saturability, presenting nM affinity constants. These peptides contain alpha-helical structural elements, as determined by circular dichroism, and inhibit P. falciparum in vitro invasion of normal RBCs by up to 91%, suggesting that some RESA-like protein regions are involved in intra-erythrocyte stage P. falciparum invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Eduardo Rodriguez
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunologia de Colombia and Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 50 No. 26-00, Bogotá, Colombia
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Serrano ML, Pérez HA, Medina JD. Structure of C-terminal fragment of merozoite surface protein-1 from Plasmodium vivax determined by homology modeling and molecular dynamics refinement. Bioorg Med Chem 2006; 14:8359-65. [PMID: 17035028 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2006.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2006] [Revised: 09/07/2006] [Accepted: 09/07/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
One current vaccine candidate against Plasmodium vivax targeting asexual blood stage is the major merozoite surface protein-1 of P. vivax (PvMSP-1). Vaccine trials with PvMSP-1(19) and PvMSP-1(33) have succeeded in protecting monkeys and a large proportion of individuals, naturally exposed to P. vivax transmission, develop specific antibodies to PvMSP-1(19). This study presents a model for the three-dimensional structure of the C-terminal 19kDa fragment of P. vivax MSP-1 determined by means of homology modeling and molecular dynamics refinement. The structure proved to be consistent with MSP-1(19) of known crystal or solution structures. The presence of a main binding pocket, well suited for protein-protein interactions, was determined by CASTp. Corrections reported to the sequence of PvMSP-1(19) Belem strain were also inspected. Our model is currently used as a basis to understand antibody interactions with PvMSP-1(19).
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luisa Serrano
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular, Unidad de Química Medicinal, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1041-A, Venezuela.
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35
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Sanders PR, Kats LM, Drew DR, O'Donnell RA, O'Neill M, Maier AG, Coppel RL, Crabb BS. A set of glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored membrane proteins of Plasmodium falciparum is refractory to genetic deletion. Infect Immun 2006; 74:4330-8. [PMID: 16790807 PMCID: PMC1489731 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00054-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted gene disruption has proved to be a powerful approach for studying the function of important ligands involved in erythrocyte invasion by the extracellular merozoite form of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Merozoite invasion proceeds via a number of seemingly independent alternate pathways, such that entry can proceed with parasites lacking particular ligand-receptor interactions. To date, most focus in this regard has been on single-pass (type 1) membrane proteins that reside in the secretory organelles. Another class of merozoite proteins likely to include ligands for erythrocyte receptors are the glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchored membrane proteins that coat the parasite surface and/or reside in the apical organelles. Several of these are prominent vaccine candidates, although their functions remain unknown. Here, we systematically attempted to disrupt the genes encoding seven of the known GPI-anchored merozoite proteins of P. falciparum by using a double-crossover gene-targeting approach. Surprisingly, and in apparent contrast to other merozoite antigen classes, most of the genes (six of seven) encoding GPI-anchored merozoite proteins are refractory to genetic deletion, with the exception being the gene encoding merozoite surface protein 5 (MSP-5). No distinguishable growth rate or invasion pathway phenotype was detected for the msp-5 knockout line, although its presence as a surface-localized protein was confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Sanders
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
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López R, Valbuena J, Rodríguez LE, Ocampo M, Vera R, Curtidor H, Puentes A, García J, Ramirez LE, Patarroyo ME. Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 6 (MSP-6) derived peptides bind erythrocytes and partially inhibit parasite invasion. Peptides 2006; 27:1685-92. [PMID: 16713025 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2006.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2004] [Revised: 02/02/2006] [Accepted: 02/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This work shows that Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-6 (MSP-6) peptides specifically bind to membrane surface receptor on human erythrocytes. Three high activity binding peptides (HABPs) were found: peptides 31175 (41MYNNDKILSKNEVDTNIESN60) and 31178 (101YDIQATYQFPSTSGGNNVIP120) in the amino terminal region and 31191 (361EIDSTINNLVQEMIHLFSNNY380) at the carboxy terminal. Their binding to erythrocytes was saturable. HABPs 31191 and 31178 recognized 56 and 26 kDa receptors on erythrocyte membrane and inhibited in vitro Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion of erythrocytes by between 27% and 46% at 200 microg ml(-1) concentration, suggesting that these MSP-6 protein peptides play a possible role in the invasion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramsés López
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC) and Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia.
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37
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Gilson PR, Nebl T, Vukcevic D, Moritz RL, Sargeant T, Speed TP, Schofield L, Crabb BS. Identification and stoichiometry of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane proteins of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Cell Proteomics 2006; 5:1286-99. [PMID: 16603573 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m600035-mcp200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Most proteins that coat the surface of the extracellular forms of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are attached to the plasma membrane via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. These proteins are exposed to neutralizing antibodies, and several are advanced vaccine candidates. To identify the GPI-anchored proteome of P. falciparum we used a combination of proteomic and computational approaches. Focusing on the clinically relevant blood stage of the life cycle, proteomic analysis of proteins labeled with radioactive glucosamine identified GPI anchoring on 11 proteins (merozoite surface protein (MSP)-1, -2, -4, -5, -10, rhoptry-associated membrane antigen, apical sushi protein, Pf92, Pf38, Pf12, and Pf34). These proteins represent approximately 94% of the GPI-anchored schizont/merozoite proteome and constitute by far the largest validated set of GPI-anchored proteins in this organism. Moreover MSP-1 and MSP-2 were present in similar copy number, and we estimated that together these proteins comprise approximately two-thirds of the total membrane-associated surface coat. This is the first time the stoichiometry of MSPs has been examined. We observed that available software performed poorly in predicting GPI anchoring on P. falciparum proteins where such modification had been validated by proteomics. Therefore, we developed a hidden Markov model (GPI-HMM) trained on P. falciparum sequences and used this to rank all proteins encoded in the completed P. falciparum genome according to their likelihood of being GPI-anchored. GPI-HMM predicted GPI modification on all validated proteins, on several known membrane proteins, and on a number of novel, presumably surface, proteins expressed in the blood, insect, and/or pre-erythrocytic stages of the life cycle. Together this work identified 11 and predicted a further 19 GPI-anchored proteins in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Gilson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3050, Australia
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38
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Black CG, Wu T, Wang L, Topolska AE, Coppel RL. MSP8 is a non-essential merozoite surface protein in Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2005; 144:27-35. [PMID: 16125802 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2005.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2005] [Revised: 05/29/2005] [Accepted: 06/05/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
MSP8 is a recently identified merozoite surface protein that shares similar structural features with the leading vaccine candidate MSP1. Both proteins contain two C-terminal epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor attachment sequence and undergo proteolytic processing. By double recombination, we have disrupted the MSP8 gene in P. falciparum 3D7 parasites, and confirmed integration by southern hybridisation and PCR. Western blot analysis of lysates from asynchronous cultures and isolated merozoites demonstrated the absence of MSP8 in two cloned knockout lines. There was no significant difference in growth rate observed between 3D7 and the cloned DeltaMSP8 lines. Thus, unlike MSP1, MSP8 is not required for asexual stage parasite growth and replication in vitro. Further analysis of the cloned lines showed that loss of MSP8 had no effect on the levels of expression of other merozoite surface proteins including MSP1-5, 7 and 10. Stage-specific immunoblots showed that MSP8 expression commences in late rings and extends throughout the rest of the erythrocytic life cycle in the 3D7 parent line, but is absent from all stages in the DeltaMSP8 transfectants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casilda G Black
- Department of Microbiology and the Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia.
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39
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Shi Q, Cernetich A, Daly TM, Galvan G, Vaidya AB, Bergman LW, Burns JM. Alteration in host cell tropism limits the efficacy of immunization with a surface protein of malaria merozoites. Infect Immun 2005; 73:6363-71. [PMID: 16177307 PMCID: PMC1230925 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.10.6363-6371.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunization with Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein-8 (PyMSP-8) has been shown to protect mice against lethal P. yoelii 17XL malaria. Here we demonstrate that PyMSP-8-specific antibodies preferentially suppress P. yoelii 17XL growth in mature erythrocytes compared to growth in reticulocytes and do not suppress the growth of nonlethal P. yoelii 17X, a parasite that primarily replicates in reticulocytes. The protection against normocyte-associated P. yoelii malaria parasites is mediated by antibodies that recognize conformational epitopes of PyMSP-8 that are nonpolymorphic. We examined changes in gene expression in reticulocyte-restricted P. yoelii 17XL parasites that escaped neutralization by PyMSP-8-specific antibodies using P. yoelii DNA microarrays. Of interest, Pymsp-8 gene expression decreased, while the expression of msp-1, msp-7, and several rhoptry protein genes increased. Breakthrough parasites also exhibited increases in the expression of a subset of yir and Pyst-a genes that are predicted to encode polymorphic antigens expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes. These data suggest that changes in the expression of parasite proteins expressed on the merozoite surface, as well as the surface of infected erythrocytes, may alter host cell tropism and contribute to the ability of malaria parasites to evade merozoite-specific, neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifang Shi
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, USA
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40
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Sanders PR, Gilson PR, Cantin GT, Greenbaum DC, Nebl T, Carucci DJ, McConville MJ, Schofield L, Hodder AN, Yates JR, Crabb BS. Distinct protein classes including novel merozoite surface antigens in Raft-like membranes of Plasmodium falciparum. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:40169-76. [PMID: 16203726 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m509631200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins coat the surface of extracellular Plasmodium falciparum merozoites, of which several are highly validated candidates for inclusion in a blood-stage malaria vaccine. Here we determined the proteome of gradient-purified detergent-resistant membranes of mature blood-stage parasites and found that these membranes are greatly enriched in GPI-anchored proteins and their putative interacting partners. Also prominent in detergent-resistant membranes are apical organelle (rhoptry), multimembrane-spanning, and proteins destined for export into the host erythrocyte cytosol. Four new GPI-anchored proteins were identified, and a number of other novel proteins that are predicted to localize to the merozoite surface and/or apical organelles were detected. Three of the putative surface proteins possessed six-cysteine (Cys6) motifs, a distinct fold found in adhesive surface proteins expressed in other life stages. All three Cys6 proteins, termed Pf12, Pf38, and Pf41, were validated as merozoite surface antigens recognized strongly by antibodies present in naturally infected individuals. In addition to the merozoite surface, Pf38 was particularly prominent in the secretory apical organelles. A different cysteine-rich putative GPI-anchored protein, Pf92, was also localized to the merozoite surface. This insight into merozoite surfaces provides new opportunities for understanding both erythrocyte invasion and anti-parasite immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Sanders
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3050 Australia
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41
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Puentes A, Ocampo M, Rodríguez LE, Vera R, Valbuena J, Curtidor H, García J, López R, Tovar D, Cortes J, Rivera Z, Patarroyo ME. Identifying Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-10 human erythrocyte specific binding regions. Biochimie 2005; 87:461-72. [PMID: 15820753 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2005.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2004] [Accepted: 01/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Receptor-ligand interactions between synthetic peptides and normal human erythrocytes were studied to determine P. falciparum merozoite surface protein-10 (MSP-10) regions specifically binding to membrane surface receptors on human erythrocytes. Three MSP-10 protein High Activity Binding Peptides (HABPs) were identified, whose binding to erythrocytes became saturable and sensitive on being treated with neuraminidase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Some of them specifically recognised a 50 kDa erythrocyte membrane protein. Some HABPs inhibited in vitro P. falciparum merozoite invasion of erythrocytes by 70%, suggesting that MSP-10 protein's possible role in the invasion process probably functions by using similar mechanisms to those described for other MSP family antigens. In addition to above results, the high homology in amino-acid sequence and superimposition of both MSP-10, MSP-8 and MSP-1 EGF-like domains and HABPs 31132, 26373 and 5501 suggest that tridimensional structure could be playing an important role in the invasion process and in designing synthetic multi-stage anti-malarial vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Puentes
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia and Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
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42
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Perez-Leal O, Sierra AY, Barrero CA, Moncada C, Martinez P, Cortes J, Lopez Y, Salazar LM, Hoebeke J, Patarroyo MA. Identifying and characterising the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 10 Plasmodium vivax homologue. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 331:1178-84. [PMID: 15883000 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in Asia and Latin-America. The difficulty of maintaining this parasite culture in vitro has hampered identifying and characterising proteins implied in merozoite invasion of red blood cells. We have been able to identify an open reading frame in P. vivax encoding the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 10 homologous protein using the partial sequences from this parasite's genome reported during 2004. This new protein contains 479 amino-acids, two epidermal growth factor-like domains, hydrophobic regions at the N- and C-termini, being compatible with a signal peptide and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor site, respectively. The protein is expressed during the parasite's asexual stage and is recognised by polyclonal sera in parasite lysate using Western blot. P. vivax-infected patients' sera highly recognised recombinant protein by ELISA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Perez-Leal
- Molecular Biology Department, Fundacion Instituto de Inmunologia de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
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43
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Drew DR, Sanders PR, Crabb BS. Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 8 is a ring-stage membrane protein that localizes to the parasitophorous vacuole of infected erythrocytes. Infect Immun 2005; 73:3912-22. [PMID: 15972477 PMCID: PMC1168550 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.7.3912-3922.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, the following seven glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored merozoite antigens have been described in Plasmodium falciparum: merozoite-associated surface protein 1 (MSP-1), MSP-2, MSP-4, MSP-5, MSP-8, MSP-10, and the rhoptry-associated membrane antigen. Of these, MSP-1, MSP-8, and MSP-10 possess a double epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain at the C terminus, and these modules are considered potential targets of protective immunity. In this study, we found that surprisingly, P. falciparum MSP-8 is transcribed and translated in the ring stage and is absent from the surface of merozoites. MSP-8 is the only GPI-anchored protein known to be expressed at this time. It is synthesized as a mature 80-kDa protein which is rapidly processed to a C-terminal 17-kDa species that contains the double EGF module. As determined by a combination of immunofluorescence and membrane purification approaches, it appears likely that MSP-8 initially localizes to the parasite plasma membrane in the ring stage. Although the C-terminal 17-kDa fragment is present in more mature stages, at these times it is found in the food vacuole. We successfully disrupted the MSP-8 gene in P. falciparum, a process that validated the specificity of the antibodies used in this study and also demonstrated that MSP-8 does not play a role essential to maintenance of the erythrocyte cycle. This finding, together with the observation that MSP-8 is exclusively intracellular, casts doubt over the viability of this antigen as a vaccine. However, it is still possible that MSP-8 is involved in an early parasitophorous vacuole function that is significant for pathogenesis in the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien R Drew
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
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44
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Perez-Leal O, Sierra AY, Barrero CA, Moncada C, Martinez P, Cortes J, Lopez Y, Torres E, Salazar LM, Patarroyo MA. Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 8 cloning, expression, and characterisation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 324:1393-9. [PMID: 15504368 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.09.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax, one of the four parasite species causing malaria in humans, is the most widespread throughout the world, leading to nearly 80 million cases per year, mainly in Latin-America and Asia. An open reading frame encoding the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 8 P. vivax homologue has been identified in the present study by screening the current data obtained from this parasite's partially sequenced genome. This new protein contains 487 amino-acids, two epidermal growth factor like domains, hydrophobic regions at the N- and C-termini compatible with a signal peptide, and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor site, respectively. This gene's transcription and its encoded protein expression have been assessed, as well as its recognition by P. vivax-infected patients' sera. Based on this recognition, and a previous study showing that mice immunised with the Plasmodium yoelii homologous protein were protected, we consider the PvMSP8 a good candidate to be included in a multi-stage multi-antigen P. vivax vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Perez-Leal
- Molecular Biology Department, Fundacion Instituto de Inmunologia de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
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45
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Gaur D, Mayer DCG, Miller LH. Parasite ligand–host receptor interactions during invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium merozoites. Int J Parasitol 2004; 34:1413-29. [PMID: 15582519 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2004.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2004] [Revised: 10/11/2004] [Accepted: 10/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites must recognise and invade different cells during their life cycle. The efficiency with which Plasmodium falciparum invades erythrocytes of all ages is an important virulence factor, since the ability of the parasite to reach high levels of parasitemia is often associated with severe pathology and morbidity. The merozoite invasion of erythrocytes is a highly complex, multi-step process that is dependent on a cascade of specific molecular interactions. Although many proteins are known to play an important role in invasion, their functional characteristics remain unclear. Therefore, a complete understanding of the molecular interactions that are the basis of the invasion process is absolutely crucial, not only in improving our knowledge about the basic biology of the malarial parasite, but also for the development of intervention strategies to counter the disease. Here we review the current state of knowledge about the receptor-ligand interactions that mediate merozoite invasion of erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Building Twinbrook III/Room 3E-32D, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA
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46
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Black CG, Wang L, Topolska AE, Finkelstein DI, Horne MK, Thomas AW, Mohandas N, Coppel RL. Merozoite surface proteins 4 and 5 of Plasmodium knowlesi have differing cellular localisation and association with lipid rafts. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2004; 138:153-8. [PMID: 15500926 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2004] [Revised: 07/01/2004] [Accepted: 07/02/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Casilda G Black
- Department of Microbiology and the Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia.
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47
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Mello K, Daly TM, Long CA, Burns JM, Bergman LW. Members of the merozoite surface protein 7 family with similar expression patterns differ in ability to protect against Plasmodium yoelii malaria. Infect Immun 2004; 72:1010-8. [PMID: 14742548 PMCID: PMC321602 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.2.1010-1018.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we described the isolation of the Plasmodium yoelii sequence-related molecules P. yoelii MSP-7 (merozoite surface protein 7) and P. yoelii MSRP-2 (MSP-7-related protein 2) by their ability to interact with the amino-terminal end of P. yoelii MSP-1 in a yeast two-hybrid system. One of these molecules was the homologue of Plasmodium falciparum MSP-7, which was biochemically isolated as part of the shed MSP-1 complex. In the present study, with antibodies directed against recombinant proteins, immunoprecipitation analyses of the rodent system demonstrated that both P. yoelii MSP-7 and P. yoelii MSRP-2 could be isolated from parasite lysates and from parasite culture supernatants. Immunofluorescence studies colocalized P. yoelii MSP-7 and P. yoelii MSRP-2 with the amino-terminal portion of MSP-1 and with each other on the surface of schizonts. Immunization with P. yoelii MSRP-2 but not P. yoelii MSP-7 protected mice against a lethal infection with P. yoelii strain 17XL. These results establish that both P. yoelii MSP-7 and P. yoelii MSRP-2 are expressed on the surface of merozoites and released from the parasite and that P. yoelii MSRP-2 may be the target of a protective immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrianne Mello
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, USA
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48
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Wang L, Mohandas N, Thomas A, Coppel RL. Detection of detergent-resistant membranes in asexual blood-stage parasites of Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2003; 130:149-53. [PMID: 12946853 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-6851(03)00165-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wang
- Department of Microbiology and the Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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49
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Puentes A, García J, Ocampo M, Rodríguez L, Vera R, Curtidor H, López R, Suarez J, Valbuena J, Vanegas M, Guzman F, Tovar D, Patarroyo ME. P. falciparum: merozoite surface protein-8 peptides bind specifically to human erythrocytes. Peptides 2003; 24:1015-23. [PMID: 14499280 DOI: 10.1016/s0196-9781(03)00185-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This work determined Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-8 (MSP-8) regions specifically binding to membrane surface receptors on human erythrocytes. Five high activity binding peptides (HABPs), whose binding to erythrocytes became saturable and sensitive on being treated with neuraminidase and chymotrypsin were identified from the MSP-8 protein. Those amino acids directly involved in interaction with erythrocytes were also determined for each one of the HABPs. Some of them specifically recognized 28, 46, and 73 kDa erythrocyte membrane proteins. Some HABPs inhibited in vitro P. falciparum merozoite invasion of erythrocytes by up to 98%, suggesting the MSP-8 protein's possible role in the invasion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Puentes
- Fundacion Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia and Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 50 No. 26-00, Bogota, Colombia
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