Premium
Identification of developmentally regulated Giardia lamblia cyst antigens using GCSA‐1, a cyst‐specific monoclonal antibody
Author(s) -
Ward H. D.,
Kane A. V.,
OrtegaBarria E.,
Keusch G. T.,
Pereira M. E. A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1990.tb00570.x
Subject(s) - biology , giardia lamblia , antigen , monoclonal antibody , cyst , immunofluorescence , giardia , antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , pathology , medicine
Summary GCSA‐1, a monoclonal antibody raised against cysts generated in vitro was shown to be Giardia cyst‐specific by immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence. GCSA‐1 recognized four polypeptides ranging from 29–45kD present in the cyst wall. These antigens appeared within eight hours of exposure of trophozoites to encystation medium and were shown to be synthesized by encysting parasites by means of metabolic labelling with [ 35 S]‐cysteine. Trophozoites were not stained by the antibody. GCSA‐1 also reacted with in vivo cysts obtained from faeces of infected humans, gerbils and mice. These data demonstrate that the determinants recognized by GCSA‐1 are early cyst antigens which are developmentally regulated and conserved components of the cyst wall. The actual role of the antigens detected by GCSA‐1 in encystation are unknown, but they represent a potential target for strategies directed at inhibiting this process.