Aldolase activity of a Plasmodium falciparum protein with protective properties

Immunization with a 41-kilodalton blood stage antigen (p41) of Plasmodium falciparum induces immunity to malaria in monkeys. However, antigenic polymorphism and repetitive amino acids commonly found in protective antigens complicate vaccine development. The gene encoding p41 has now been cloned and analyzed. Sequencing and hybridization studies revealed that the gene structure is highly conserved in 14 parasite isolates from three continents. This finding and the lack of repetitive amino acids in the translated DNA sequence may indicate that p41 has an essential function. In this study the protein was found to be 60 percent homologous to the key glycolytic enzyme aldolase from vertebrates, and the affinity-purified p41 protein from parasites showed aldolase activity.