DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANTIGENIC RECOMBINANT TROPOMYOSIN OF Echinococcus granulosus IN A BACTERIAL SYSTEM AS A VACCINAL CANDIDATE AGAINST CANINE ECHINOCOCCOSIS

This study aimed to clone, express and produce the recombinant Echinococcus granulosus tropomyosin isoform A protein (EgTrpA) that maintains its antigenic and immunogenic properties as a potential vaccine candidate for dogs and sheep. The Echinococcus granulosus tropomyosin protein (EgTrp) gene was cloned into two vectors: Tropo/His-tag [pET28a (+)] and Tropo/GST-tag (pGEX6P-1). It was then expressed in E. coli BL21. Protein identity was determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Im-munogenicity and antigenicity were verified by immunizing rabbits with each recombinant protein and assessed by western blot and ELISA. Two-dimensional electrophoresis identified the recombinant EgTrp protein as isoform A. The recombinant proteins showed recognition reactions on Western Blot and serum from immunized rabbits showed an increase in Tropo/His-tag IgG antibodies similar to Tropo/GST-tag. The recombinant EgTrpA protein showed antigenic and immunogenic characteristics in laboratory animals.