Characterisation of the Plasmodium vivax Pv38 antigen

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Nov 14;376(2):326-30. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.08.163. Epub 2008 Sep 19.

Abstract

This study describes the identification and characterisation of Pv38, based on the available genomic sequence of Plasmodium vivax and previous studies done with its Plasmodium falciparum homologue: Pf38. Pv38 is a 355 amino acid long peptide encoded by a single exon gene, for which orthologous genes have been identified in other Plasmodium species by bioinformatic approaches. As for Pf38, Pv38 was found to contain a s48/45 domain which is usually found in proteins displayed on gametocytes surface. The association of Pv38 with detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs), its expression in mature blood stages of the parasite (mainly schizonts) and the detection of its recombinant protein by sera from Aotus monkeys previously exposed to the parasite, were here assessed to further characterise this new antigen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan* / chemistry
  • Antigens, Protozoan* / genetics
  • Antigens, Protozoan* / metabolism
  • Genes, Protozoan
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmodium vivax / genetics
  • Plasmodium vivax / growth & development
  • Plasmodium vivax / immunology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Recombinant Proteins