The three-dimensional structure of a series of """"""""variable surface glycoprotein"""""""" (VSG) antigens from the membrane of the unicellular parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, are being determined by high resolution X-ray crystallography. The African trypanosome evades the host immune response by sequentially expressing antigenically distinct VSGs, which form a protective coat on its surface. Just as the host responds to one foreign antigenic challenge, the trypanosome expresses a new antigenically distinct VSG, escaping neutralization by the host. Our goal is to understand the structure of this remarkable series of surface glycoproteins and their role in antigenic variation. African trypanosomes, which are spread by the tsetse fly, cause various forms of animal and human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). These studies aim to describe the structure of the VSG protein and carbohydrate, the location and nature of the antigenic determinants, and should provide a molecular model of the VSG, which can be used for the rational design of drugs and/or vaccines. Currently, the structures of the variable N-Terminal domain of MITat 1.2 and ILTat 1.25 VSGs are being determined to 2.9 and 2.5 Angstrom resolution respectively from crystals of the purified glycoproteins. Future studies on complexes with monoclonal antibody Fab fragments and on electron microscopic image analysis of the VSG coat are proposed.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI021324-04
Application #
3131307
Study Section
Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry A Study Section (BBCA)
Project Start
1984-09-01
Project End
1989-08-31
Budget Start
1987-09-01
Budget End
1988-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
071723621
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02138