Clemens Kocken

Publications (1)2.55 Total impact

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  Available from: Jacques Meis

  Article: A novel protein antigen of the malaria parasite Plasmodiumfalciparum, located on the surface of gametes and sporozoites I ' ~

  Inge I M D Moelans, Jacques F G M Meis, Clemens Kocken, Ruud N H Konings, John G G Schoenmakers
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  ABSTRACT: A Plasmodiumfalciparum cDNA clone was isolated of which the insert is transcribed at high rates as a 1.4-kb mRNA in the sexual stages of the malaria parasite. The cDNA clone contains a copy of a non-interrupted gene which codes for a protein of 157 amino acids (Mr = 16607). This 16-kDa protein does not contain repetitive sequences and is characterised by a putative N-terminal signal sequence, a hydrophobic membrane anchor sequence and a highly hydrophilic C-terminal region suggesting that it is an integral membrane protein. Rabbit antisera raised against a synthetic peptide covering amino aci, ds 31~-7 of the 16-kDa protein and against recombinant fusion proteins recognised the 16-kDa antigen in protein extracts of gametocytes, macrogamete/zygotes and sporozo-ites by Western blot analysis. The rabbit antisera also reacted with gametes, gametocytes and sporozoites in a standard immunofluor-escence assay. By immunoelectron microscopy using the protein A-gold method the 16-kDa protein could be clearly visualised on the surface of macrogametes and sporozoites, whereas the antigen was not detectable in the asexual erytbrocytic stages of the para-site. The 16-kDa antigen of P.falciparum therefore might have the potential to elicit a dual protective immune response against the sporozoite and sexual stage parasites.
  Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 01/1991; 45:193-204. · 2.55 Impact Factor