Plasmodium yoelii yoelii 17Xl Msp-1: Fine-Specificity Mapping of a Discontinuous, Disulfide-Dependent Epitope Recognized by a Protective Monoclonal Antibody Using Expression PCR (E-PCR)

The Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) is presently a target antigen for an erythrocytic stage malaria vaccine. Kain and colleagues have developed a PCR-based expression system (E-PCR) that allows the expression of any open reading frame without cloning. This technique is also valuable for mapping epitopes and for the rapid construction and expression of chimeric polypeptides. Here we show that despite the presence of numerous cysteines, successful expression of the epitope recognized by mAb 302 has been achieved in vitro using the E-PCR technique.