Thomas A W, Narum D, Waters A P, Trape J F, Rogier C, Gonçalves A, Rosario V, Druilhe P, Mitchell G H, Dennis D
Laboratory for Parasitology, BPRC-TNO, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 1994;89 Suppl 2:67-70. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02761994000600016.
The apical membrane antigen (AMA-1) family of malaria merozoite proteins is characterised by a high degree of inter-species conservation. Evidence that the protein (PK66/AMA-1) from the simian parasite Plasmodium knowlesi was protective in rhesus monkeys suggested that the 83kDa P. falciparum equivalent (PF83/AMA-1) should be investigated for protective effects in humans. Here we briefly review pertinent comparative data, and describe the use of an eukaryotic full length recombinant PF83/AMA-1 molecule to develop a sensitive ELISA for the determination of serological responses in endemic populations. The assay has revealed surprisingly high levels of humoral response to this quantitatively minor antigen. We also show that PK66/AMA-1 inhibitory mAb's are active against merozoites subsequent to release from schizont-infected red cells, further implicating AMA-1 molecules in red cell invasion.
疟原虫裂殖子的顶端膜抗原（AMA-1）家族的特点是种间高度保守。来自猴疟原虫诺氏疟原虫的蛋白质（PK66/AMA-1）在恒河猴中具有保护作用，这一证据表明，应研究疟原虫83kDa的等效物（PF83/AMA-1）对人类的保护作用。在此，我们简要回顾相关的比较数据，并描述使用真核全长重组PF83/AMA-1分子开发一种灵敏的ELISA方法，以测定流行地区人群的血清学反应。该检测方法揭示了针对这种定量上较少的抗原令人惊讶的高水平体液反应。我们还表明，PK66/AMA-1抑制性单克隆抗体在裂殖体感染的红细胞释放裂殖子后对裂殖子具有活性，这进一步表明AMA-1分子参与红细胞入侵。
