Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan that infects the urogenital tract and causes trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The parasite has a complex life cycle and undergoes several morphological changes during its development. One of the most important aspects of T. vaginalis biology is its surface antigens, which are involved in host-parasite interactions and play crucial roles in pathogenesis.

The surface of T. vaginalis contains several immunogenic proteins, including P270, G3 Immuno-dominant variable surface antigen-like, and G3 infected erythrocyte surface antigen. These proteins play a critical role in the pathogenesis of trichomoniasis and are targets for the host immune response.

P270: P270 is a surface immunogen of T. vaginalis that was first identified in 1993. It is a high molecular weight protein (270 kDa) that is localized on the surface of the parasite. P270 is a major target of the host immune response and has been shown to induce protective immunity in experimental animals.

G3 Immuno-Dominant Variable Surface Antigen-Like: G3 Immuno-Dominant Variable Surface Antigen-Like is another important surface antigen of T. vaginalis. It is a member of the variable surface protein (VSP) family and is expressed on the surface of the parasite in a stage-specific manner. G3 is highly immunogenic and induces a strong host immune response. It is also involved in adhesion and cytoadherence to host cells.

G3 Infected Erythrocyte Surface Antigen: G3 Infected Erythrocyte Surface Antigen is a surface antigen of T. vaginalis that is expressed on the surface of erythrocytes infected with the parasite. It is a member of the glycophorin-binding protein (GBP) family and is involved in the attachment of the parasite to erythrocytes. G3 Infected Erythrocyte Surface Antigen is highly immunogenic and induces a strong host immune response.

Understanding the role of these surface immunogens in the pathogenesis of trichomoniasis is critical for the development of effective diagnostic tests and vaccines. Several studies have demonstrated the potential of P270 and G3 antigens as targets for diagnostic assays and vaccine development.

In addition to their diagnostic and vaccine potential, these surface immunogens may also be useful as drug targets. The development of novel therapeutics for trichomoniasis is urgently needed, as current treatments have limited efficacy and can cause adverse side effects.

Overall, the study of surface immunogens in T. vaginalis is an active area of research with important implications for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of trichomoniasis. Ongoing research in this field will provide valuable insights into the biology of this parasite and may lead to the development of novel interventions for this important STI.

Trichomonas vaginalis cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to develop diagnostic tests for trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by this protozoan parasite. This cDNA can be used to design probes that can detect T. vaginalis DNA in a patient’s sample. Recombinant antigens can be used to develop highly sensitive and specific antibody-based tests, such as ELISA and Western blot. Recombinant antigens can also be used to develop vaccines against trichomoniasis.

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.