Genes for the major protein antigens of the leprosy parasite Mycobacterium leprae

Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease afflicting between 10 and 15 million people, is caused by the obligate intracellular parasite Mycobacterium leprae. Although M. leprae was the first identified bacterial pathogen of man, basic biochemical, immunological, diagnostic and therapeutic investigations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNature (London) Vol. 316; no. 6027; p. 450
Main Authors Young, R A, Mehra, V, Sweetser, D, Buchanan, T, Clark-Curtiss, J, Davis, R W, Bloom, B R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.08.1985
Subjects
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antigens, Bacterial - genetics
Base Sequence
Cloning, Molecular
DNA, Recombinant - analysis
Genes
Genes, Bacterial
Humans
Immunity, Cellular
Leprosy - immunology
Mycobacterium leprae - genetics
Mycobacterium leprae - immunology
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Summary:Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease afflicting between 10 and 15 million people, is caused by the obligate intracellular parasite Mycobacterium leprae. Although M. leprae was the first identified bacterial pathogen of man, basic biochemical, immunological, diagnostic and therapeutic investigations have been severely limited because it remains one of the few human pathogens that have not been cultured in vitro. An M. leprae recombinant DNA expression library was constructed to provide a source of genes encoding proteins relevant for such studies. Monoclonal antibodies directed against M. leprae specific antigens have been used to isolate the genes encoding the five most immunogenic protein antigens of the leprosy bacillus. We report here that M. leprae specific epitopes recognized by all of 13 monoclonal antibodies tested were produced by recombinant phage in Escherichia coli.
ISSN:0028-0836
DOI:10.1038/316450a0