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Structural basis of malaria transmission blockade by a monoclonal antibody to gamete fusogen HAP2.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Feng, Juan 
Dong, Xianchi 
DeCosta, Adam 
Su, Yang 
Angrisano, Fiona 

Abstract

HAP2 is a transmembrane gamete fusogen found in multiple eukaryotic kingdoms and is structurally homologous to viral class II fusogens. Studies in Plasmodium have suggested that HAP2 is an attractive target for vaccines that block transmission of malaria. HAP2 has three extracellular domains, arranged in the order D2, D1, and D3. Here, we report monoclonal antibodies against the D3 fragment of Plasmodium berghei HAP2 and crystal structures of D3 in complex with Fab fragments of two of these antibodies, one of which blocks fertilization of Plasmodium berghei in vitro and transmission of malaria in mosquitoes. We also show how this Fab binds the complete HAP2 ectodomain with electron microscopy. The two antibodies cross-react with HAP2 among multiple plasmodial species. Our characterization of the Plasmodium D3 structure, HAP2 ectodomain architecture, and mechanism of inhibition provide insights for the development of a vaccine to block malaria transmission.

Description

Funder: Isaac Newton Trust; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004815


Funder: Alborada Trust; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100008288


Funder: Wellcome Trust; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004440


Funder: University of Cambridge; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000735


Funder: Global Health Innovative Technology Fund; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013996


Funder: Rosetrees Trust; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000833


Funder: Royal Society; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000288

Keywords

HAP2, gamete fusogen, infectious disease, malaria transmission-blocking vaccine, membrane fusion, microbiology, molecular biophysics, structural biology, Animals, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Binding Sites, Antibody, Biophysical Phenomena, Culicidae, Germ Cells, Malaria, Membrane Fusion, Plasmodium berghei, Protein Binding, Protozoan Proteins

Journal Title

Elife

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2050-084X
2050-084X

Volume Title

10

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/N00227X/1)