<i>MALARIA PLASMODIUM</i> ANTIGEN POLYPEPTIDE SE36, METHOD OF PURIFYING THE SAME AND VACCINE AND DIAGNOSTIC WITH THE USE OF THE THUS OBTAINED ANTIGEN

摘要

A polypeptide SE36 originating in the N-terminal domain (47 kd) of SERA (serine-repeat antigen) produced by falciparum malarial parasite in the intraerythrocytic stage; a method of purifying the same; and a vaccine and a diagnostic for malaria containing as the active ingredient the purified antigen thus obtained. By deleting the whole polymerized serine or a part thereof from the 47 kd serine-repeat domain, a large amount of SE36 is produced by Escherichia coli and can be purified to a high extent. Human IgG3 antibody specifically binding to SE36 extremely effectively prevents the proliferation of the parasite in erythrocytes and consequently inhibits fever and cerebral malaria, thereby preventing death.