Expression of a cDNA encoding a Toxoplasma gondii protein belonging to the heat-shock 90 family and analysis of its antigenicity

摘要

A cDNA clone (Tgzy85d11.r1) obtained from the Toxoplasma Expressed Sequence Tag project was chosen due to its homology with proteins of the heat shock 90 family. The cDNA encodes 137 amino acids of the C-terminal portion of the Toxoplasma Hsp90 protein (TgHsp90). Serum samples obtained from orally infected BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice showed reactivity against a recombinant TgHsp90 (rTgHsp90) after 8 weeks postinfection. Isotype analysis showed an anti-rTgHsp90 TgG2a/IgG3 response in infected BALB/c and anti rTgHsp90 IgG1/IgG2a/IgG2b response in infected C57BL/B mice. Serum samples from individuals chronically and putative acutely infected with T. gondii showed a similar anti-rTgHsp90 IgG response. Our work identifies TgHsp90 as a novel parasite antigen that seems to elicit a higher relation of anti-TgHsp90/anti-T. gondii IgGs during chronic infection in comparison with the acute stage. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. [References: 14]