In vitro Analysis of Differential Expression of the Yersinia pestis F1 capsule and V antigen
Stephens, Analisa
Stephens, Analisa
Abstract
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Plague is still a major health concern in many region s of the world today, including parts of the United States. Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the d isease, has several proteins that can be used as targets for a vaccine. The F1 capsular antigen and V antigen are the two major target proteins of interest because they are exposed on the outer surface of the bacterium and trigger a robust immune response . In recent years, researchers from across the country have been working on an effective vaccine using these two virulence proteins. In this project, I expa nded the knowledge gathered in earlier studies concerning the expression of the V antigen and F1 antigen in vitro . This was demonstrated by quantifying V antigen expression in the presence and absence of the F1 antigen. In addition to characterizing V antigen expression, the impact the F1 antigen has on V antigen binding. The information gathered in this study will help fill in the gaps concerning why the effectiveness of current vaccines varies, as well facilitate future studies concerning expression patterns in Y. pestis.
Plague is still a major health concern in many regions of the world today, including parts of the United States. Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the disease, has several proteins that can be used as targets for a vaccine. The F1 capsular antigen and V antigen are the two major target proteins of interest because they are exposed on the outer surface of the bacterium and trigger a robust immune response. In recent years, researchers from across the country have been working on an effective vaccine using these two virulence proteins. In this project, I expanded the knowledge gathered in earlier studies concerning the expression of the V antigen and F1 antigen in vitro. This was demonstrated by quantifying V antigen expression in the presence and absence of the F1 antigen. In addition to characterizing V antigen expression, the impact the F1 antigen has on V antigen binding. The information gathered in this study will help fill in the gaps concerning why the effectiveness of current vaccines varies, as well facilitate future studies concerning expression patterns in Y. pestis.
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University of Wyoming Libraries