Identification of core B cell epitope in the synthetic peptide inducing cross-inhibiting antibodies to a surface protein antigen of Streptococcus mutans

Immunol Invest. 1997 Aug-Dec;26(5-7):531-48. doi: 10.3109/08820139709088538.

Abstract

A surface protein antigen (PAc) of Streptococcus mutans, in particular, A-region of the molecule, has been considered as a possible target for the development of an effective anticaries vaccine. This region might be implicated in the induction of dental caries via interaction with salivary components. We have recently specified a unique peptide, TYEAALKQYEADL, as one of the minimum peptides that completely corresponds to the amino acid sequence of a part of the A-region. The unique peptide contains both T and B cell epitopes for the induction of cross-reacting antibodies to the PAc. In this study, we synthesized valine or glycine-substituted peptide analogs of this peptide and examined core B cell epitopes of this unique peptide by using ELISA inhibition assay. As a result, the core amino acid residues of -Y------Y---- for B cell recognition were found to likely be not only important amino acids stabilizing the structure, but also might be essential for induction of the cross-inhibiting antibodies against PAc. These results will hopefully provide us with useful information for the design of an effective anticaries peptide vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigen Presentation
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Cross Reactions
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / chemistry
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Streptococcus mutans / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Peptides
  • S-layer proteins