Theileria annulata is a protozoan parasite that infects cattle and is transmitted by ticks. This parasite causes theileriosis, which is a severe and often fatal disease in cattle. Theileriosis is a significant economic burden on the cattle industry in many countries. Therefore, there is a great need to develop effective and efficient methods for controlling this disease. Recent research has focused on identifying potential vaccine candidates against T. annulata, including several proteins, such as Polymorphic antigen, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Heat shock protein 70, Surface protein (TaSP and d), 104 kDa microneme-rhoptry antigen (p104), Apical merozoite antigen, Merozoite surface glycoprotein, Sporozoite surface antigen, Cell surface-extracellular protein, and Polymorphic antigen-like protein. These proteins are considered potential targets for developing vaccines against T. annulata.

Polymorphic antigens are a critical component of Theileria annulata’s pathogenesis. These antigens are expressed on the surface of the parasite and are constantly changing, allowing the parasite to evade the host’s immune system. One such antigen is the Surface protein (TaSP and d), which plays a crucial role in the parasite’s interaction with host cells.

Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a protein involved in DNA replication and repair. In Theileria annulata, PCNA is a polymorphic antigen that is essential for the parasite’s survival. The parasite produces multiple variants of PCNA, allowing it to evade the host’s immune response continually. Additionally, PCNA is involved in the formation of the parasite’s feeding structures, making it an essential protein for the parasite’s survival.

Heat Shock Protein 70: Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a protein that is produced by cells in response to stress. In Theileria annulata, HSP70 is essential for the parasite’s survival and pathogenesis. The parasite produces several variants of HSP70 that are involved in evading the host’s immune response and facilitating the parasite’s entry into host cells. Additionally, HSP70 plays a crucial role in the parasite’s development within the host, making it an attractive target for the development of novel therapeutics.

Surface Protein (TaSP and d): The Surface protein (TaSP and d) is a polymorphic antigen that is critical for Theileria annulata’s survival and pathogenesis. This protein is expressed on the surface of the parasite and is involved in the parasite’s interaction with host cells. TaSP and d plays a crucial role in the formation of the parasite’s feeding structures, making it an essential protein for the parasite’s survival.

104 kDa Microneme-Rhoptry Antigen (p104): The 104 kDa microneme-rhoptry antigen (p104) is a protein produced by Theileria annulata during the early stages of infection. This protein is involved in the parasite’s invasion of host cells and is essential for the establishment of the infection. P104 is a highly conserved protein, making it an attractive target for the development of vaccines against theileriosis.

Apical Merozoite Antigen: The apical merozoite antigen is a protein produced by Theileria annulata during the later stages of infection. This protein is involved in the formation of the parasite’s feeding structures and is essential for the parasite’s survival.

In addition to the above-mentioned proteins, several other proteins have been identified as potential vaccine candidates against T. annulata. These include 104 kDa microneme-rhoptry antigen (p104), apical merozoite antigen, merozoite surface glycoprotein, sporozoite surface antigen, cell surface-extracellular protein, and polymorphic antigen-like protein. These proteins induce a strong immune response in cattle and have been shown to protect against T. annulata infection in experimental settings.

Theileria annulata cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used in a variety of applications. These applications include diagnostic assays, vaccine development, and therapeutic treatments.
1. Diagnostic Assays: cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to develop diagnostic assays for the detection of Theileria annulata infections. These assays can be used to detect the presence of the parasite in a sample of blood or other body fluid.
2. Vaccine Development: cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to develop vaccines against Theileria annulata. These vaccines can be used to protect animals and humans against infection and disease.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has skyrocketed. However, in heterologous expression systems, successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on a variety of factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content. When compared to pre-optimization, more and more experimental results demonstrated that the expression level was dramatically increased, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform that has resulted in the creation of over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), which are ready for production of the recombinant proteins.