Abstract
The conserved, nonantigenic, nonimmunogenic malaria Merozoite Surface Protein-2 peptide 1, having high affinity for red blood cells, was rendered immunogenic and protective in Aotus monkeys by specifically changing some critical residues. The NMR structure revealed a switch from classical type III' into distorted III' and III beta turns in the protective peptides. These changes may lead to a better fit into the Aotus MHC class II human HLA-DRbeta1 12 molecule equivalent, thus activating the immune system.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, Protozoan / chemistry*
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Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
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Aotidae
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology*
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Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
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Malaria, Falciparum / immunology
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Malaria, Falciparum / prevention & control
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Models, Molecular
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Peptides / chemistry*
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Peptides / immunology
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Plasmodium falciparum / immunology
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Protein Conformation
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Protozoan Proteins / chemistry*
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Protozoan Proteins / immunology
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Vaccination
Substances
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Antigens, Protozoan
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
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Peptides
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Protozoan Proteins
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merozoite surface protein 2, Plasmodium