Plasmodium yoelii: identification of rhoptry proteins using monoclonal antibodies.

Thirteen monoclonal antibodies, obtained after immunization of mice with Plasmodium yoelii schizonts, were selected using immunofluorescence assay: they all presented typical fluorescence patterns of rhoptries. This antigen localization was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. The molecular weights of the recognized antigens are 68, 80, 105, 130 and 140 kDa as determined by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot under reducing and nonreducing conditions. These values are very similar to these of the low and high molecular weight complex components of Plasmodium falciparum. Furthermore, these antigens are soluble like P. falciparum rhoptry proteins. Interestingly, our monoclonal antibodies also reacted with two other Plasmodium species (Plasmodium berghei NKK173 strain and P. yoelii nigeriensis 798 VK strain), giving sometimes more complex labeling with apical, membranous, nuclear, or/and cytoplasmic localizations. Finally, none of the monoclonal antibodies stained the rhoptries of P. falciparum FCCE-1/Niger strain.