Conformation-Stabilized TRAP Antigens

摘要

This invention relates to compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against a parasite of the genus Plasmodium in a mammal.

主权项

1. A Plasmodium falciparum Thrombospondin-Related Anonymous Protein (TRAP) antigen, wherein the antigen sequence comprises one or more of the following (numbering relative to SEQ ID NO:5):
(a) Mutation at Cysteine 55 to a non-cysteine amino acid; (b) Mutation of N-linked glycosylation sites; (c) Mutation of Ala-216/Asn-222 or Lys-224/Gln-78 to cysteine to create a TRAP that is stabilized in the open conformation; (d) Mutation of Asn-213/Ala-233, Ala-216/Phe-230, or Met-231/Gln-78 to cysteine to create a TRAP that is stabilized in the closed conformation; (e) Deletion of N-terminal and/or C-terminal residues to create a TRAP fragment that is stabilized in the closed conformation comprising V47-V238; (f) Deletion of N-terminal and/or C-terminal residues to create a TRAP fragment that is stabilized in the open conformation comprising V47-M231.