Journal article
Neutralization-sensitive merozoite surface antigens of Babesia bovis encoded by members of a polymorphic gene family
Molecular and biochemical parasitology, Vol.55(1), pp.85-94
1992
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/104315
PMID: 1279421
Abstract
Monospecific antibodies against native and recombinant versions of the major merozoite surface antigen (MSA-1) of
Babesia bovis neutralize the infectivity of merozoites from Texas and Mexico strains in vitro. Sequence analysis shows that MSA-1 and a related, co-expressed 44 kDA merozoite surface protein (MSA-2) are encoded by members of a multigene family previously designated BabR. BabR genes, originally described in Australia strains of
B. bovis, are notable because their marked polymorphism is apparently mediated by chromosomal rearrangements, but protein products of BabR genes have not previously been identified. The 3′ terminal 173 nucleotides of the MSA-1 gene, including 60 nucleotides of untranslated sequence, are highly similar to the 3′ terminal sequences of BabR 0.8 (84% identity) and MSA-2 (94% identity). Alignment of the predicted protein sequences demonstrates significant overall homology between MSA-1 and MSA-2, and between both proteins and the amino terminal BabR sequence. MSA-1 nucleic acid probes also hybridize weakly to genomic DNA from the Australia ‘L’ strain, even though this strain does not express merozoite surface epitopes cross-reactive with MSA-1 or MSA-2. Hybridization of these same probes to genomic DNA from the cloned Mexico strain reveals a pattern of bands compatible with two copies each of MSA-1 and MSA-2. Proteins encoded by this
B. bovis gene family have been designated variable merozoite surface antigens (VMSA). The extent and mechanism of VMSA polymorphism among strains will be important when evaluating the role these surface proteins have in the host-parasite interaction, including immunity to blood stages.
Metrics
11 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Neutralization-sensitive merozoite surface antigens of Babesia bovis encoded by members of a polymorphic gene family
- Creators
- Stephen A Hines - Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USAGuy H Palmer - Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USADouglas P Jasmer - Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USATravis C McGuire - Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USATerry F McElwain - Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Publication Details
- Molecular and biochemical parasitology, Vol.55(1), pp.85-94
- Academic Unit
- Veterinary Medicine, College of; Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Department of; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Identifiers
- 99900546953201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article