Immunochemical analysis of a major antigen of Plasmodium falciparum (P126) among ten geographic isolates
Bhatia, A.; Delplace, P.; Fortier, B.; Dubremetz, J.F.; Vernes, A.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 36(1): 15-19
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 3544890 Document Number: 300524
Protein P126, a parasitophorous vacuole major antigen of Plasmodium falciparum strain FCR-3 and precursor of 3 major exoantigens with MW 50 000, 47 000 and 18 000 was studied in 10 culture-adapted isolates originating from various endemic areas. 2 monoclonal antibodies (specific for the 50 000 and 47 000 MW exoantigens, resp.) were used to immunoprecipitate culture supernatants and parasitized erythrocytes. All the parasite isolates reacted with both monoclonal antibodies, indicating the ubiquity of the epitopes analysed. Further, 2 of the exoantigens (the 50 000 and 18 000 MW of FCR-3) were found to have a stable MW in all the isolates tested, whereas, the other one (47 000 MW in FCR-3) was found to have a variable MW from 47 000 to 50 000. The MW of the precursor varied from 126 000 to 128 000. No correlation was found between geographic origin and antigenic size.