Expression in yeast of a Plasmodium vivax antigen of potential use in a human malaria vaccine.

DNA coding for 234 amino acids of the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of Plasmodium vivax was incorporated into yeast expression vectors. The DNA encoded all the repeat domain and codons for a highly conserved sequence, KLKQP, found in CS proteins from all malaria parasites. Yeast cells transformed with these autonomously replicating plasmids expressed, upon induction, high levels of the CS polypeptide. The malaria antigen was purified in good yields from yeast extracts and was injected into mice using alum as adjuvant. The antibodies recognized the authentic CS protein, and at high dilutions, they inhibited the invasion of hepatocytes by sporozoites in vitro.