Construction of a couple of eukaryotic expression recombinants containing the gene fragment of 42kD C-terminal region of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1

Objectives: Nucleic acid vaccine has several major advantages over other types of available vaccines, such as in situ eukaryotic expression and generation of extensively cellular response. To construct a couple of eukaryotic expression recombinants containing the gene fragment of C-terminal region (coding for 42kD protein) of Plasmodium falciparum(P.f)merozoite surface protein 1(MSP1), which could be a candidate nucleic acid vaccine. Methods: The gene fragment of C-terminal region (coding for 42kD protein) of MSP1 from P.f FUP strain was cloned into eukaryotic expression plasmid VR1012 for intracellular expression and VR1012/TPA for secretion by commonly used molecular clone methods. The eukaryotic expression recombinants were identified by PCR and restriction enzyme. Results: The recombinants VR1012/MSP1-42 and VR1012/TPA/MSP1-42 were successfully constructed. Conclusions: Up to now only nucleic acid vaccine of rodent malaria was reported. This study provides a good basis for us to find out an effective P.f erythrocytic stage nucleic acid vaccine . The protective immune response to these vaccines will be studied in the future.