Leishmania infantum: gene cloning of the GRP94 homologue, its expression as recombinant protein, and analysis of antigenicity.

The complete nucleotide sequence for the Leishmania infantum homologue to the glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94) gene was determined from the isolation and characterization of a genomic clone. Like the mammalian and plant GRP94s, the L. infantum GRP94 sequence possesses both an N-terminal signal peptide and a putative endoplasmic reticulum retention signal, consisting of the C-terminal tetrapeptide EDDL. Thus, L. infantum is the first protozoan organism in which GRP94 has been identified. Southern blot analysis has indicated that this protein is encoded by a single-copy gene. The L. infantum GRP94 gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein used to evaluate its antigenicity and immunogenicity. Eighty-four percent of sera from dogs with visceral leishmaniasis reacted with the protein, indicating that GRP94 is a potent immunogen during Leishmania infection. Given the immunogenic and antigenic properties shown by the L. infantum GRP94, we think that this protein constitutes a valuable molecule for diagnostic purposes and a potential candidate for studies of protective immunogenicity.