Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS) are an important family of enzymes which play a fundamental role in protein biosynthesis in nematodes. The broad objective of this proposal is to understand the phenomenon of neutralizing antibody mediated aminoacylation inhibition of a recombinant Brugia malayi asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (AsnRS). This work will focus primarly on identification and characterization of the subset of persons from lymphatic filariasis endemic areas who develop neutralizing antibodies, and the immunological properties of neutralizing antibody. This grant proposes three specific aims. First, a two step screening process will identify persons who have spontaneoulsy developed B. Malayi AsnRS:tRNA (Asn) complex from soluble HeLa cell extracts. Secondly, differences or similarities between epitopes recognized by neutralizing and non- neutralizing antibodies will be studied by western blot analysis of a set of overlapping synthetic peptides, corresponding to the full B. malayi AsnRS. Thirdly, the specificity of an in vitro aminoacylation assay will be improved by overproduction and purification of a recombinant tRNA (Asn) gene derived from Caenorhabditis elegans. Long-term, insight from these studies will improve both our general understanding of AARS family in filaria and help to understand the basis for species- specificity of AsnRS neutralizing antibody. The proposed studies also will indicate the basis for cross reactivity between autoantibody and the filarial AsnRS. These goals will simultaneously provide a foundation on which to consider (1) the parasite AsnRS as an excellent target for rational anti-filarial drug design, and (2) the potential role of parasite AsnRS in the induction of autoimmune phenomenon in lymphatic filariasis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29AI037668-05
Application #
6373461
Study Section
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section (TMP)
Program Officer
Gottlieb, Michael
Project Start
1997-09-30
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2001-09-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$102,322
Indirect Cost
Name
Michigan State University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
193247145
City
East Lansing
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48824
Kron, Michael A; Petridis, Michael; Haertlein, Michael et al. (2005) Do tissue levels of autoantigenic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase predict clinical disease? Med Hypotheses 65:1124-7
Kron, Michael; Petridis, Michael; Milev, Youli et al. (2003) Expression, localization and alternative function of cytoplasmic asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase in Brugia malayi. Mol Biochem Parasitol 129:33-9
Beaulande, M; Kron, M; Hirakata, M et al. (2001) Human anti-asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase autoantibodies (anti-KS) increase the affinity of the enzyme for its tRNA substrate. FEBS Lett 494:170-4
Kron, M A; Ammunariz, M; Pandey, J et al. (2000) Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E in the absence of atopy and filarial infection: the Huaorani of Ecuador. Allergy Asthma Proc 21:335-41
Hirakata, M; Suwa, A; Nagai, S et al. (1999) Anti-KS: identification of autoantibodies to asparaginyl-transfer RNA synthetase associated with interstitial lung disease. J Immunol 162:2315-20