Novel Plasmodium Yoelli Merozoite Rhoptry Proteins

摘要

Thirty-six novel proteins were identified in a Plasmodium yoelii rhoptry proteome analysis using multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT). Hypothetical rhoptry proteins and proteins of unknown function were identified. Twelve of the proteins are encoded by genes with homology to P. falciparum rhoptry genes. Multiple antigen peptides (MAPs) were synthesized and used to generate anti-peptide antibodies that reacted with the apical complex by immunofluorescence, giving a punctuate double dot pattern on segmented schizonts typical of rhoptries. Two of the peptide-specific antibodies reacted with the body of the rhoptries by immunoelectron microscopy (IBM) and twogenes were cloned in pRSET A, with recombinant protein expression in Escherichia coli BL21.DE3. Continued characterization of these novel proteins will identify important vaccine and drug candidates and provide important insights into the function of this unique organelle.