Abstract: A fusion protein, from P. falciparum Glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) genetically coupled to P. falciparum Merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) was produced in Lactococcus lactis as a secreted recombinant GLURP-MSP3 hybrid protein and experiments showed that the GLURP-part of the hybrid increased the overall antibody response. Immunizations with the hybrid protein consistently generated a stronger antibody response against the individual GLURP and MSP3 domains than a mixture of the two recombinant molecules injected at one site or the individual recombinant molecules injected simultaneously at two different sites. The difference was most pronounced for the MSP3-specific antibody response suggesting that T cell epitopes located in the GLURP RO-region provide help for B-cell epitopes in the MSP3 region.

Abstract: A fusion protein, derived from P. falciparum Glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) genetically coupled to P. falciparum Merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) was produced in Lactococcus lactis as a secreted recombinant GLURP-MSP3 hybrid protein and experiments showed that the GLURP-part of the hybrid increased the overall antibody response. Immunizations with the hybrid protein consistently generated a stronger antibody response against the individual GLURP and MSP3 domains than a mixture of the two recombinant molecules injected at one site or the individual recombinant molecules injected simultaneously at two different sites. The difference was most pronounced for the MSP3-specific antibody response suggesting that T cell epitopes located in the GLURP RO-region provide help for B-cell epitopes in the MSP3 region.

Abstract: A fusion protein, from P. falciparum Glutamate-rich protein(GLURP) genetically coupled to P. falciparum Merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) was produced in Lactococcus lactis as a secreted recombinant GLURP-MSP3 hybrid protein and experiments showed that the GLURP-part of the hybrid increased the overall antibody response. Immunizations with the hybrid protein consistently generated a stronger antibody response against the individual GLURP and MSP3 domains than a mixture of the two recombinant molecules injected at one site or the individual recombinant molecules injected simultaneously at two different sites. The difference was most pronounced for the MSP3-specific antibody response suggesting that T cell epitopes located in the GLURP RO-region provide help for B-cell epitopes in the MSP3 region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a characteristic amino acid sequence derived from the Plasmodium falciparum antigen GLURP, a polypeptide which is recognized by an antibody raised against or reactive with a polypeptide comprising said characteristic amino acid sequence and/or an antibody reactive with native GLURP, a nucleic acid molecule (DNA-fragment) encoding said polypeptide, an expression vector carrying the nucleic acid molecule, an organism expressing said nucleic acid molecule so as to produce said polypeptide, a monoclonal antibody directed against said polypeptide, a diagnostic agent comprising said antibody or said polypeptide for use in assaying Plasmodium falciparum infection and thus diagnosing malaria, and the use of said antibody or said polypeptide for therapeutic purposes, e.g. as a component in a vaccine.