Localization of a Plasmodium Surface Antigen Epitope by Tn5 Mutagenesis Mapping of a Recombinant cDNA Clone

Abstract
A recombinant complementary DNA clone from Plasmodium knowlesi makes a beta-lactamase fusion polypeptide in Escherichia coli that reacts with a monoclonal antibody to a Plasmodium surface antigen. An epitope of the surface antigen was localized by transposon Tn5 mutagenesis mapping of the complementary DNA clone. The Tn5 mutation having the farthest 5' insert into the complementary DNA portion of the chimeric gene, giving the shortest truncated protein that maintained the ability to bind monoclonal antibody, defined the location of the epitope.