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Mass spectrometric identification of the secretome of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites to provide novel candidates for vaccine development pipeline
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  • Akshay Munjal,
  • Rex D. A. B,
  • T. S. Keshava Prasad Prasad,
  • Soumyadeep Mukherjee,
  • Soumya Pati,
  • Shailja Singh
Akshay Munjal
Jawaharlal Nehru University
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Rex D. A. B
Yenepoya University
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T. S. Keshava Prasad Prasad
Yenepoya University
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Soumyadeep Mukherjee
Shiv Nadar University
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Soumya Pati
Shiv Nadar University
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Shailja Singh
Jawaharlal Nehru University

Corresponding Author:shailja.jnu@gmail.com

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Abstract

Purpose: Merozoites are the only extracellular form of blood stage parasites, making it a worthwhile target for vaccine and drug development. Multiple invasins that are stored in the merozoite apical organelles, are secreted just prior to invasion, and mediates its interaction with host cell. A comprehensive identification of all these secreted invasins is lacking and this study addresses that gap. Experimental design: Pf3D7 merozoites were enriched and were triggered to discharge apical organelle contents by exposure to ionic conditions mimicking that of blood plasma. The secreted proteins were separated from cellular contents and both the fractions were subjected to proteomic analysis. Also, the identified secreted proteins were subjected to gene ontology and PPI network analysis. Results: A total of 63 proteins were identified in the secretory fraction with membrane and apical organellar localization. This includes various MSPs, micronemal EBAs, various rhoptry bulb proteins, which plays a crucial role in initial and late attachment of the merozoite with the RBC, and harboured multiple linear B cell epitopes. Conclusion and clinical relevance: We, for the first time, report the secretory repertoire of merozoite. This information can be utilized to develop better invasion blocking multisubunit vaccines, comprising of immunological epitopes from several secreted invasins.
14 Sep 2023Submitted to Clinical Applications
06 Oct 2023Submission Checks Completed
06 Oct 2023Assigned to Editor
06 Oct 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Feb 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
16 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Accept