Characterization of SPf(66)n: a chimeric molecule used as a malaria vaccine

SPf66 is a chemically synthesized 45 amino acid peptide derived from fractions of four different proteins of Plasmodium falciparum (83, 55 and 35 kDa and CS, the circumsporozoite protein) that elicits a protective immune response against malaria. In this paper we show the characterization of the SPf(66)n in batch 9 to be used in a field trial in young children at Ifakara in Tanzania. The analysis of SPf(66)n indicates that it is highly soluble in water and that the amino acid composition and sequence corresponds to that designed for the synthesis of the polypeptide. The packed product has a molecular weight ranging from 10 to 25 kDa. It is pure, free of metallic contaminants, atoxic and stable at 4 degrees C. The antibodies raised against this product in rabbits recognize the individual antigenic determinants of the molecule and the native epitopes of merozoites.