Prediction of B-Cell Epitopes in Listeriolysin O, a Cholesterol Dependent Cytolysin Secreted by Listeria monocytogenes. (2nd January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Morris S.; Carter, J. Mark
• Other Names: Akutsu Tatsuya Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in bioinformatics. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-01-02
• Subjects: Bioinformatics -- Periodicals; Bioinformatics; Computational Biology -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 570.285
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/871676
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-8027

Abstract

Abstract : Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive, foodborne bacterium responsible for disease in humans and animals. Listeriolysin O (LLO) is a required virulence factor for the pathogenic effects of L. monocytogenes . Bioinformatics revealed conserved putative epitopes of LLO that could be used to develop monoclonal antibodies against LLO. Continuous and discontinuous epitopes were located by using four different B-cell prediction algorithms. Three-dimensional molecular models were generated to more precisely characterize the predicted antigenicity of LLO. Domain 4 was predicted to contain five of eleven continuous epitopes. A large portion of domain 4 was also predicted to comprise discontinuous immunogenic epitopes. Domain 4 of LLO may serve as an immunogen for eliciting monoclonal antibodies that can be used to study the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes as well as develop an inexpensive assay.