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Published on: June 22, 2017
Bioinformatics analysis of calcium-dependent protein kinase 4 (CDPK4) as Toxoplasma gondii vaccine target
Masoud Foroutan1, Ali Dalir Ghaffari2, Shahrzad Soltani1
1USERN Office, Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran.
Objectives:
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite, could affect numerous warm-blooded animals, such as humans. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are essential Ca2+ signaling mediators and participate in parasite host cell egress, outer membrane motility, invasion, and cell division.
Results:
Several bioinformatics online servers were employed to analyze and predict the important properties of CDPK4 protein. The findings revealed that CDPK4 peptide has 1158 amino acid residues with average molecular weight (MW) of 126.331 KDa. The aliphatic index and GRAVY for this protein were estimated at 66.82 and - 0.650, respectively. The findings revealed that the CDPK4 protein comprised 30.14% and 34.97% alpha-helix, 59.84% and 53.54% random coils, and 10.02% and 11.49% extended strand with SOPMA and GOR4 tools, respectively. Ramachandran plot output showed 87.87%, 8.40%, and 3.73% of amino acid residues in the favored, allowed, and outlier regions, respectively. Also, several potential B and T-cell epitopes were predicted for CDPK4 protein through different bioinformatics tools. Also, antigenicity and allergenicity evaluation demonstrated that this protein has immunogenic and non-allergenic nature. This paper presents a basis for further studies, thereby provides a fundamental basis for the development of an effective vaccine against T. gondii infection.
Insights
This study analyzes the Toxoplasma gondii CDPK4 protein using bioinformatics, predicting its structure, immunogenicity, and potential as a vaccine target against T. gondii infection.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular parasite affecting warm-blooded animals, including humans.
- Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are crucial for T. gondii functions like host cell invasion and division.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of the T. gondii CDPK4 protein.
- To predict potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes for vaccine development.
- To evaluate the antigenicity and allergenicity of the CDPK4 protein.
Main Methods:
- Utilized various bioinformatics online servers for protein analysis.
- Predicted molecular weight, aliphatic index, and GRAVY score.
- Employed SOPMA and GOR4 tools for secondary structure prediction.
- Analyzed Ramachandran plot for tertiary structure validation.
- Predicted B-cell and T-cell epitopes using multiple bioinformatics tools.
- Assessed antigenicity and allergenicity of the CDPK4 protein.
Main Results:
- The CDPK4 protein consists of 1158 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 126.331 KDa.
- Secondary structure analysis indicated significant percentages of alpha-helix, random coils, and extended strands.
- Ramachandran plot analysis showed a high proportion of residues in favored and allowed regions.
- Several potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes were identified.
- The CDPK4 protein was predicted to be immunogenic and non-allergenic.
Conclusions:
- Bioinformatic analysis provides a foundational understanding of the T. gondii CDPK4 protein.
- The identified epitopes and immunogenic nature suggest CDPK4 as a potential target for vaccine development.
- Further research based on these findings could lead to effective vaccines against T. gondii infections.
