Specific β-Turns Precede PPII Structures Binding to Allele-Specific HLA-DRβ1 PBRs in Fully-Protective Malaria Vaccine Components.

The 3D structural analysis of 62 peptides derived from highly pathogenic malaria parasite proteins involved in host cell invasion led to finding a striking association between particular β-turn types located in the N-terminal peripheral flanking residue region (preceding the polyproline II left-handed structures fitting into the HLA-DRβ allele family) and modified mmune protection-inducing protein structure induced long-lasting protective immunity. This is the first time association between two different secondary structures associated with a specific immunological function has been described: full, long-lasting protective immunity.