Neisseria meningitidis antigen NMB0088: sequence variability, protein topology and vaccine potential
J Med Microbiol
; 582009. tab
Article
in English
| CUMED
| ID: cum-44533
Responsible library:
CU1.1
ABSTRACT
The significance of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B membrane proteins as vaccine candidates is continually growing. Here, we studied different aspects of antigen NMB0088, a protein that is abundant in outer-membrane vesicle preparations and is thought to be a surface protein. The gene encoding protein NMB0088 was sequenced in a panel of 34 different meningococcal strains with clinical and epidemiological relevance. After this analysis, four variants of NMB0088 were identified; the variability was confined to three specific segments, designated VR1, VR2 and VR3. Secondary structure predictions, refined with alignment analysis and homology modelling using FadL of Escherichia coli, revealed that almost all the variable regions were located in extracellular loop domains. In addition, the NMB0088 antigen was expressed in E. coli and a procedure for obtaining purified recombinant NMB0088 is described. The humoral immune response elicited in BALB/c mice was measured by ELISA and Western blotting, while the functional activity of these antibodies was determined in a serum bactericidal assay and an animal protection model. After immunization in mice, the recombinant protein was capable of inducing a protective response when it was administered inserted into liposomes. According to our results, the recombinant NMB0088 protein may represent a novel antigen for a vaccine against meningococcal disease. However, results from the variability study should be considered for designing a cross-protective formulation in future studies(AU)
Full text:
Available
Collection:
National databases
/
Cuba
Health context:
Neglected Diseases
Health problem:
Neglected Diseases
/
Zoonoses
Database:
CUMED
Main subject:
Polymorphism, Genetic
/
Meningococcal Vaccines
/
Antigens, Bacterial
/
Neisseria meningitidis
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
J Med Microbiol
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology/Cuba