With the completion of the functional genome, merozoite
proteome and stage-specific transcriptomes of the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle of Plasmoidum falciparum, the development of new
vaccine candidates targeting Plasmodium merozoites is now possible. Here we report using
protein array technology to detect antibody responses to Plasmodium merozoite
proteins by screening the serum of Plasmodium-exposed individuals. A total of 138 genes encoding P. falciparum merozoite
proteins were cloned using the In-Fusion cloning method and expressed using a wheat germ cell-free system (WGCF). These
proteins were then screened with serum from Plasmodium-exposed individuals and unexposed subjects using
protein arrays. A total of 30 highly immunoreactive merozoite
antigens were identified (21.7% of 138 target
proteins), including 10 well-characterized blood-stage
vaccine candidates for P. falciparum. In addition, we report for the first time 7
proteins (MSP3.5, MRSP2, ETRAMP11.2, ETRAMP14.1 and RALP1, and two hypothetical
proteins PFA0210c and PF14_0572) as being immunologically reactive. These novel Plasmodium merozoite
antigens may be potential
vaccine candidates for blood-stage
malaria, and warrant further study.