Structural basis for recognition of the malaria vaccine candidate Pfs48/45 by a transmission blocking antibody

Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 20;9(1):3822. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06340-9.

Abstract

The quest to develop an effective malaria vaccine remains a major priority in the fight against global infectious disease. An approach with great potential is a transmission-blocking vaccine which induces antibodies that prevent establishment of a productive infection in mosquitos that feed on infected humans, thereby stopping the transmission cycle. One of the most promising targets for such a vaccine is the gamete surface protein, Pfs48/45. Here we establish a system for production of full-length Pfs48/45 and use this to raise a panel of monoclonal antibodies. We map the binding regions of these antibodies on Pfs48/45 and correlate the location of their epitopes with their transmission-blocking activity. Finally, we present the structure of the C-terminal domain of Pfs48/45 bound to the most potent transmission-blocking antibody, and provide key molecular information for future structure-guided immunogen design.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Immunization
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Malaria / transmission*
  • Malaria Vaccines / immunology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Protein Domains
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry*
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Epitopes
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • pfs48-45 protein, Plasmodium falciparum