Cysteine-rich variant surface proteins of Giardia lamblia

Authors

Anita Aggarwal, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
James W. Merritt, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Theodore E. Nash, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-1989

Journal

Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology

Volume

32

Issue

1

DOI

10.1016/0166-6851(89)90127-8

Keywords

Antigenic variation; Cysteine-rich protein; Giardia lamblia; Metabolic labeling; Protozoan; Surface iodination

Abstract

Surface antigenic variation was previously demonstrated in vitro and in vivo using Giardia lamblia isolate WB. To determine whether other isolates undergo similar changes, isolates GS and N were cloned and exposed to cytotoxic anti-isolate sera or monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to particular surface antigen. The surviving Giardia (progeny) and clones showed different surface antigens as judged by resistance to cytotoxicity, loss of antigens determined by surface radiolabeling, and failure of MAbs to recognize epitopes by immunoprecipitation. The major varying surface antigens incorporate large amounts of [35S]cysteine compared to [35S]methionine. Surface antigenic variation occurs commonly in Giardia isolates, and the major surface antigens appear to comprise a family of cysteine-rich proteins. © 1989.

APA Citation

Aggarwal, A., Merritt, J., & Nash, T. (1989). Cysteine-rich variant surface proteins of Giardia lamblia. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 32 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0166-6851(89)90127-8