Antigenic and sequence diversity at the C-terminus of the merozoite surface protein-1 from rodent malaria isolates, and the binding of protective monoclonal antibodies

Merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) is a major candidate in the development of a vaccine against malaria. Immunisation with a recombinant fusion protein containing the two Plasmodium yoelii MSP-1 C-terminal epidermal growth factor-like domains (MSP-119) can protect mice against homologous but not heterologous challenge, and therefore, antigenic differences resulting from sequence diversity in MSP-119 may be crucial in determining the potential of this protein as a vaccine. Representative sequence variants from a number of distinct P. yoelii isolates were expressed in Escherichia coli and the resulting recombinant proteins were screened for binding to a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) capable of suppressing a P. yoelii YM challenge infection in passive immunisation experiments. The sequence polymorphisms affected the binding of the antibodies to the recombinant proteins. None of the Mabs recognised MSP-119 of P. yoelii yoelii 2CL or 33X or P. yoelii nigeriensis N67. The epitopes recognised by the Mabs were further distinguished by their reactivity with the other fusion proteins. The extent of sequence variation in MSP-119 among the isolates was extensive, with differences detected at 35 out of the 96 positions compared. Using the 3-dimensional structure of the Plasmodium falciparum MSP-119 as a model, the locations of the amino acid substitutions that may affect Mab binding were identified. The DNA sequence of MSP-119 from two Plasmodium vinckei isolates was also cloned and the deduced amino acid sequence compared with that in other species.