In this application is described the expression and purification of a recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (FVO) MSP-1 42 . The method of the present invention produces a highly purified protein that retains folding and disulfide bridging of the native molecule. The recombinant MSP-1 42 is useful as a diagnostic reagent, for use in antibody production, and as a vaccine.
1. A method for inducing in a subject an immune response against malaria infection comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of P. falciparum FVO merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1 42 ) comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 that is recombinantly expressed in E. coli as a soluble protein that retains its native folding in an acceptable diluent.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises an adjuvant.
3. The composition of claim 2 wherein said adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of montanide and alum.
4. The composition of claim 2 wherein said adjuvant is ADJUVANT B.
5. A method for inducing a protective immune response to malaria in a mammal, comprising
administering a composition comprising a P. falciparum MSP-1 42 comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 that is recombinantly expressed in E. coli as a soluble protein that retains its native folding in an amount effective to induce an immune response in said mammal.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the composition further comprises an adjuvant selected from the group consisting of montanide and alum.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the composition further comprises ADJUVANT B.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the P. falciparum FVO MSP-1 42 is encoded by the product of a recombinant vector comprising SEQ ID NO:4.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the P. falciparum FVO MSP-1 42 is encoded by the product of a recombinant vector comprising SEQ ID NO:4.