Immunoproteomic Identification of p29 Antigen as the Elongation Factor-1α of Leishmania mexicana.

Previously, we identified five Leishmania mexicana antigens reacting with antibodies from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, designated on the basis of their molecular weights as p26 (pI 7.8), p27 (pI 8.1), p28 (pI 8.6), p29 (pI 8.5), and p31 (pI 9.0). Among these antigens, p29 was most strongly recognized by the antibodies. Thereafter, p29 was identified as elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) of Leishmania mexicana through mass spectrometry analysis and western blot using a commercial antibody that reacted with EF-1α from different species. Our results showed that the p29 antigen of Leishmania mexicana is EF-1α.