CIRCUMSPOROZOITE PROTEIN OF PLASMODIUM REICHENOWI AND VACCINE FOR HUMAN MALARIA

摘要

The subject invention relates to cDNA of the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of Plasmodium reichenowi, and to the CS protein expressed by the cDNA. Comparison of the CS proteins of Plasmodium reichenowi and Plasmodium falciparum has revealed differences that could be significant in host-parasite interaction, and provide stable antigenic determinants for vaccine development against human malarial infection. Accordingly, the present invention relates to the specific peptides that make up the regions of differences between the two Plasmodium species, and to the DNA fragments encoding them. The invention also relates to DNA constructs containing at least one of the DNA fragments, and to host cells stably transformed therewith. The invention further relates to antibodies specific to the peptide molecules of Plasmodium falciparum, and to vaccines for humans against infection by this species.