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. 1985 Apr;4(4):1007–1011. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1985.tb03731.x

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of a surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites.

A Cheung, A R Shaw, J Leban, L H Perrin
PMCID: PMC554292  PMID: 3894010

Abstract

A complementary DNA library was constructed from mRNA purified from asexual blood forms of Plasmodium falciparum. Among the members of this library we have identified a plasmid (pMC31-1) coding for a polypeptide exposed at the surface of merozoites, the invasive stage of the asexual cycle. This plasmid was identified by direct expression using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies specific for a schizont polypeptide of 200 kd which has been shown to be processed to an 83-kd polypeptide expressed at the surface of merozoites. The cDNA portion of the pMC31-1 plasmid hybridizes with DNA from three isolates of P. falciparum. Antisera raised against extracts of Escherichia coli harbouring pMC31-1 react with surface and internal structures of schizonts and with the surface of merozoites from all the isolates of P. falciparum examined. These results suggest that plasmid pMC31-1 encodes an antigen of value for the development of a vaccine against malaria.

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