Molecular cloning and characterization of the immunologically protective surface glycoprotein GP46/M-2 of Leishmania amazonensis.

Abstract

Immunization of mice with the GP46/M-2 membrane glycoprotein has been demonstrated to elicit protection against infection with the parasitic protozoan Leishmania amazonensis. As this molecule is important for future vaccine studies of leishmaniasis, the gene encoding the GP46/M-2 surface membrane glycoprotein of Leishmania amazonensis has been cloned and sequenced. The protein sequence derived from the DNA sequence data is consistent with the known biochemical and immunochemical properties of the protein and indicates a number of structural areas of interest. A repetitive sequence (24 amino acids repeated four times) occurs within the amino-terminal portion of the molecule and constitutes approximately 22% of the total mature protein. The protease-resistant immunodominant carboxyl-terminal domain of the protein comprises approximately half of the molecule and consists of proline-rich and cysteine-rich areas of sequence; the distribution of cysteine residues is suggestive of metal binding motifs. The sequence predicts a hydrophobic leader peptide, and a putative attachment site for a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor is indicated at the carboxyl terminus, consistent with the membrane location of the protein. Southern blot analyses also indicate the presence of a GP46/M-2 gene family.

• Authors: K L Lohman, P J Langer, D McMahon-Pratt
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) Vol. 87 Issue 21 Pg. 8393-7 (Nov 1990) ISSN: 0027-8424 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2236047 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Membrane Glycoproteins
• Oligonucleotide Probes
• Protozoan Proteins
• RNA, Messenger
• surface glycoprotein GP46-M-2, Leishmania
• DNA

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Base Sequence
• Blotting, Northern
• Blotting, Southern
• Cloning, Molecular
• DNA (genetics)
• Gene Library
• Leishmania (genetics, immunology)
• Membrane Glycoproteins (biosynthesis, genetics, immunology)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Oligonucleotide Probes
• Protozoan Proteins (biosynthesis, genetics, immunology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
• Restriction Mapping